New guidelines for Sabahans to operate own rooftop solar systems for ‘self-consumption’

DOMESTIC electricity consumers in Sabah will soon be able to harness solar power by installing rooftop solar photovoltaic systems for self-consumption, thanks to recently released guidelines from the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS).

The ECoS unveiled the ‘Guidelines on Grid-Connected Solar Photovoltaic System for Self-Consumption in Sabah’, also known as SELCO-PV Sabah.

The guidelines are now accessible on the commission's website.

In announcing the release of the guidelines, ECoS chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Nasser Abdul Wahid said they would help consumers to save on power bills and reduce carbon footprint.

“SELCO-PV Sabah is aimed to encourage the use of solar photovoltaic (PV), a renewable energy source that would allow consumers to generate their own electricity via the Solar PV system especially on the rooftop of their respective building premises for self-consumption.

“This will help reduce their electricity consumption from the grid, resulting in savings in electricity bills and reduction of carbon footprint,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Abdul Nasser said that widespread use of SELCO-PV Sabah would alleviate pressure on the state power grid at peak load hours during the day, offering respite to the state's reserve margin.

Peak load demand in Sabah typically occurs between 11am and 4pm.

He said the implementation will also help the state to improve the generation of its renewable energy mix which currently stands at about 7%.

Abdul Nasser stressed that the move aligns with the Sabah Energy Roadmap and Master Plan 2040 which was launched by the state government in September last year.

The maximum allowable installed capacity for a solar system is 85% of the load demand at each premise.

For example, if the maximum load demand is 1000kWac, then the maximum allowable installed capacity is 850kWac.

The guidelines come under Section 101 of the Sabah Electric Supply Enactment 2024 which was passed by the Sabah Assembly on January 3 this year. – The Vibes, February 2, 2024