As a tropical country, Viet Nam has a great potential for solar energy, especially rooftop solar power, which is often dispersed and mostly consumed at the point of generation. The Government has encouraged the use of rooftop solar because its strategic deployment can contribute to reducing the load on the grid and impact on land-use planning.
By the end of September 2021, more than 100,000 rooftop solar systems were installed and operated with a total capacity of nearly 10 GW which accounts for more than 10% of the total installed capacity of Viet Nam’s power system, according to Vietnam Electricity (EVN) reports. Recently, more investors have focused on the rooftop solar development due to the flexibility in installation timeframes and investment capital options. Solar self-consumption in industry and trade has also become increasingly interesting from a business perspective since power prices in Viet Nam rose by an average of 8% in March 2019.
In this context, the German Development Cooperation Agency GIZ and the Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority (EREA) of the Ministry of Industry and Trade have started to implement a rooftop solar project in the commercial and industrial sectors. The rooftop solar (CIRTS) project will focus on the adaptation of relevant regulatory and technical regulations, the development of key stakeholder capacities and technology cooperation, with an aim to improve conditions for a sustainable development of the market in Viet Nam.
The CIRTS project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Both EREA and GIZ are jointly carrying out the project until February 2025.
At an event on 13 April in Ho Chi Minh City to introduce the project, Nathan Moore – Director of the rooftop solar project – said, ‘Rooftop solar will play a key role for achieving Viet Nam’s COP26 commitments. The rooftop solar project is ready to assist EREA and EVN with technical, commercial, and regulatory issues that naturally arise when rooftop solar is rapidly expanded. By joining hands with other development partners and stakeholders, we continue providing technical assistance to support sustainable development and the energy transition in Viet Nam.’
For more information about the CIRTS project, please see see here.
For further information, please contact Nathan Moore – CIRTS’ Project Director, Energy Cluster, GIZ Viet Nam.
Contact person
Nathan Moore — Project Director, CIRTS
