Putrajaya, Tuesday (27 August 2013): Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia (SEDA Malaysia) during their Open Raya announces the release of 1,500kW of solar photovoltaic (PV) quota for the individuals in three batches. The first 500kW quota for individual under the Solar Home Rooftop Programme will be released on 28th August 2013 (Wednesday) followed by another 500kW on 4th September 2013 (Wednesday) and 11th September 2013 (Wednesday) at 12 noon.

According to Datin Badriyah Abdul Malek, Chief Executive Officer of SEDA Malaysia, “there will be no more release of any solar PV quota for the individuals for 2013 after 11th September because it is not realistic for these individual Feed-In Approvals Holders (FiAHs) to be able to achieve commercial operation of their PV system by year end”. Datin Badriyah added any renewable energy projects which are supposed to achieve commercial operation by this year and fails to do so will incur further degression to their Feed-In Tariff (FiT) rate as stipulated in their Feed-In Approval (FiA) certificate. It is thus important for all FiAHs to note for solar PV for the individuals, the degression rate is 8% whilst for the non-individuals, it is 20%.

In order to prevent any potential abuse of solar PV quota for the individuals, effective 28th August 2013, the solar PV quota for the individual will be applicable only for residential premises under individual names only. However applicants who are applying as an enterprise/sole proprietor/partnership for buildings or premises registered under individual names will also be allowed to apply for a FiA under the individual quota.

SEDA Malaysia reminds all interested FiA applicants to comply with all the requirements during application as follows:

  • Ensure all information submitted through the e-FiT online system is accurate, clear and precise as any ambiguity may result in automatic refusal;
  • Declaration form must be uploaded to the e-FiT online system within three (3) calendar days from the application date; and
  • The hardcopy of the declaration form and proof of payment of application and processing fees must be received by SEDA Malaysia within seven (7) calendar days from the application date.

Any application which fails to comply with the requirements aforementioned or which is deemed to be incomplete may result in refusal by SEDA Malaysia. SEDA Malaysia is taking a strict approach in approving all the applications and will not entertain any queries once the application has been submitted and processed. Hence, every application made either by the eligible producer or an authorised representative or agent of the eligible producer shall ensure 100% accuracy and completeness of the submission for Feed in Approval.

Datin Badriyah concludes the Open Raya message by re-emphasizing the importance of the public’s contribution to the Renewable Energy (RE) Fund which an important step taken by the Government to support the FiT programme. Currently electricity consumers contribute 1% of their electricity bill to the RE Fund; however this does not include those domestic consumers whose consumption of electricity 300kWh (RM77) and less per month. Malaysia need to embrace this step in all seriousness because the RE Fund is vital to ensure the sustainable growth of the renewable energy portfolio and diversify our current fossil based fuel mix. According to Datin Badriyah as at end of July 2013, SEDA Malaysia has approved renewable energy capacity is 509.75 MW out of which 112.44 MW is connected to the grid. The CEO of SEDA Malaysia lauded the willingness of the public to contribute to the RE Fund, such attitude symbolizes that of a developed and responsible nation.