All you need to know about SolaRIS

Who is eligible for SolaRIS?

Customers qualify for the rebate under the following conditions:

1. They must be TNB Residential Customers (Tariff A), excluding businesses.
2. They must be first-time NEM Rakyat applicants from April 1, 2024.
3. They must be Malaysian citizens.

Please note that each customer is eligible for only one rebate.

How much will I get for the SolaRIS rebate?

The rebate amount will be determined by your Declared Installed Capacity (kWac), which can be verified in your NEM Rakyat Certificate. Each kilowatt-hour (kWac) is equal to RM1,000, with a maximum cap of RM4,000.

For example:

Solar PV Declared Installed Capacity = 2.45kWac

Cash Rebate = 2.45kWac * RM1,000 = RM2,450

If your Solar PV Declared Installed Capacity is 5.00kWac, your cash rebate is at the maximum cap of RM4,000 only.

How to apply for the SolaRIS rebate?

At Solaroo, we handle the application process on your behalf.

When can I expect to receive the rebate payment?
The rebate payment will be disbursed after the successful installation and commissioning of the solar PV system under the NEM Rakyat Program. It will be credited to the TNB customer’s local bank account, subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the SolaRIS program.

I received approval for my NEM Rakyat application before April 1, 2024. Will I qualify for the rebate?
No, eligibility for the rebate is limited to applicants who applied and received approval on or after April 1, 2024. You can verify the submission and approval dates on your NEM Rakyat certificate issued by SEDA.

If I applied for NEM Rakyat before April 1st, 2024, and received the NEM Rakyat certificate after that date, am I eligible for the rebate?

No, only applications and approvals from April 1st, 2024 onwards are eligible. Please check the submission and approval dates on your NEM Rakyat certificate issued by SEDA.

I have multiple houses with solar PV installations, and I applied under NEM Rakyat after April 1st, 2024. Can I apply for the rebate for all of them?

No, you can only claim one rebate for the house that was first commissioned with TNB after April 1st, 2024.

I bought a house with an existing solar PV installation under NEM Rakyat from the previous owner. Can I apply for the rebate?

No, you are not eligible if the previous owner already received the rebate or commissioned the installation before April 1st, 2024.

I added more solar PV capacity after April 1st, 2024. Can I get the SolaRIS rebate?

No, existing NEM customers who expand their installation are not eligible for the rebate.

I withdrew from the previous NEM Rakyat quota and haven’t installed the solar PV yet. Can I get the rebate if I get new approval after April 1st, 2024?

No, only first-time NEM Rakyat applicants qualify for the rebate.

I surrendered my NEM Rakyat quota after commissioning the solar PV. Can I get the rebate with new approval after April 1st, 2024?

No, only first-time NEM Rakyat applicants are eligible for the rebate.

When is the deadline to apply for SolaRIS?

The rebate is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis from April 1st to December 31st, 2024. Solar PV systems must be commissioned with TNB by March 31st, 2025, or until all NEM Rakyat quotas are filled, whichever comes first.

Find out more about Solaroo’s microinverter PV system here.

Before Solar

Below is a sample electricity bill of our client, Mr. Chong, prior to the installation of a solar PV system. The bill illustrates the amount of electricity imported / consumed from the TNB’s grid.

Mr Chong bill sample BEFORE solar

Under Tempoh Bil (billing period) section we can see the billing summary.

A. Shows the Blok Tarif (kWh) (energy consumption/kWh) for the month, in Mr Chong’s bill, he has imported 688kWh to power up his home between 4 June – 4 July 2022.

B. Displays how much the energy consumption amounts to, under Amaun (RM) (amount/RM). The rates (Kadar/RM) for Blok Tarif (kWh) are set by TNB.

C. This section shows the final calculation of how much Mr Chong will be charged.

TNB Blok Tarif price + service charge (6%) + KTWBB (1.6%)

For the billing period stated above, Mr Chong will be charged RM273.22 for his home’s energy consumption, stated under Caj Semasa (current charge)

After Solar

Upon installing a solar PV system, you will notice a few changes on your TNB bill. There are three crucial terms to familiarise yourself with – Electricity Imported, Electricity Exported, and NEM Credit.

The term NEM is a policy in which the energy generated by your solar PV system will be consumed first. Any excess solar energy generated will be exported back to TNB as credits. The exported solar energy will then be used to offset any electricity imported in that same month.

This replaces the need for a battery storage system as any excess solar energy generated is accounted for by TNB as credits, giving you a “virtual battery storage”.

To elaborate this further, most homeowners will not fully consume their solar energy generated during the day due to being away from home for work, school, or any other reasons.  Hence, their electricity usage during the day is quite minimum with a greater usage at night where more people are at home.  During the day, the basic appliances which consume electricity should be powered by solar energy, with excess solar energy being exported back to TNB.  During the night, as there is no solar generation, homeowners will be importing electricity from TNB.  At the end of each month, TNB will calculate your total electricity imported and will deduct any excess solar energy which has been exported to TNB, resulting in only paying the net amount.

Let’s examine Mr Chong’s TNB bill at his new home after solar, as indicated in his electricity bill below:

Mr Chong bill sample AFTER solar

A. This section displays the excess energy generated by Mr Chong’s solar PV system at home.

B. Shows the solar energy generated by Blok (kWh), for the month. In Mr Chong’s bill, he has generated 427kWh worth RM220.75.

C. This section shows the final calculation of how much Mr Chong will be charged after deduction of his energy generated against energy consumed. This section shows Mr Chong’s energy consumption for the month, which comes up to 711kWh or RM292.41. After deduction of his solar energy generated, he only has to pay RM65.62.

[(TNB Blok Tarif price + service charge (6%) + KTWBB (1.6%)] –

[Lebihan Tenaga yang Dijana + Caj Minimum Bulanan NEM]

For the billing period stated above, after deduction of his solar generation, Mr Chong will be charged RM65.62.

Baki NEM (Excess NEM credits)

Also, if the energy exported exceeds the energy imported from the TNB grid, the surplus credit will be carried forward to the following month, which will displayed on TNB bill as Baki Nem (NEM Balance). In the TNB bill below, it shows that an excess of 997kWh of energy was exported. Although it doesn’t have an immediate impact on this bill, it will be credited and deducted from the subsequent month’s total.

TNB Bill with baki NEM (Excess NEM)

And there you have it! Now you can easily interpret your monthly electricity bill to monitor how much money you are saving based on the solar energy you export to the TNB grid.

Find out more about our microinverter PV system here and how your NEM works here.

This ground-breaking collaboration aims to empower new BMW iX owners on their sustainable journey by reducing emissions and embracing renewable energy. Participants in the programme will enjoy a complimentary 4.4 kilowatt peak (“kWp”) rooftop solar PV system worth RM20,000 from Solaroo, with the flexibility to expand the system’s capacity to meet their specific requirements.

“At Quill Automobiles, we are thrilled to join forces with a fellow BMW dealership, Millennium Welt, to partner with Solaroo in offering this innovative rooftop solar programme to our valued BMW iX customers,” said Alex Tang, Dealer Principal at Quill Automobiles. “This partnership reflects our commitment to shaping a better future and providing our customers with exceptional experiences. By integrating sustainable energy solutions with state-of-the-art EV technology, we enable our customers to make a positive impact on the environment while enjoying the numerous benefits of renewable energy.”

Nicholas Lee, Dealer Principal of Millennium Welt Seremban, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “As a forward-thinking dealership, Millennium Welt is delighted to collaborate with Solaroo alongside Quill Automobiles to introduce this cutting-edge rooftop solar programme. By combining both our expertise in automotive excellence with Solaroo’s sustainable energy solutions, we are offering BMW iX owners the opportunity to embark on a truly environmentally conscious journey. Together, we are committed to providing our customers with forward-looking mobility options that align with their values.”

By integrating a rooftop solar PV system, BMW iX owners can effectively harness renewable energy sources while reducing their carbon footprint, thereby increasing the sustainability of their driving experience.

“We are excited to collaborate with Quill Automobiles and Millennium Welt in this initiative, which empowers BMW iX owners to make a significant environmental impact through the adoption of renewable energy,” said Mr. Johann Sze, Co-founder of Solaroo. “This programme allows users to embrace green energy in a meaningful way, extending their commitment to sustainability beyond their EVs. We are grateful for the trust placed in us by Quill Automobiles and Millennium Welt, and we look forward to driving positive change together.”

Mr. Sze further emphasized that a 4.4kWp rooftop solar system, on average, avoids 3.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year compared to conventional electricity sources, as per data from the Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia (SEDA).

Solaroo’s rooftop solar PV solution, starting at a base size of 4.4 kWp, is expected to generate approximately 458kWh of electricity per month. This generation capacity is sufficient to offset the electricity consumption resulting from four full charges of the BMW iX (440kWh), given the EV’s battery size of 110kWh and an impressive range of up to 630km.

Furthermore, participants have the opportunity to upgrade their solar PV system capacity to between 6.6kWp and 13.2kWp based on their monthly electricity bills. The estimated savings on monthly electricity bills will offset the additional upgrade costs within two to three years.

The programme includes two years of free maintenance for the rooftop solar PV system, complemented by insurance coverage that provides one-for-one parts replacements.

The BMW iX xDrive40 & BMW iX xDrive50 Sport variant, comes with a price tag of RM447,800 and RM546,800 respectively that come with 5-year BMW Service + Repair Inclusive (BSRI). In the month of June, buyers of any iX model will receive a complimentary BMW wall box home charger with free installation, 1-year unlimited charging credit and attractive trade-in value for your current car. Please contact BMW Millennium Welt and BMW Quill Automobiles for more information, together with the terms and conditions.

Lower Energy Bills 

One of the most significant benefits of a solar PV system is that it can significantly lower your energy bills. Your solar PV system can generate electricity by harnessing energy from the sun, which means that you can reduce your reliance on grid power. This translates to lower energy bills and more money in your pocket. 

Increase the Value of Your Home 

Your solar PV system can increase the value of your home. As more people become environmentally conscious, the demand for homes with renewable energy systems increases. Therefore, a solar PV system can make your home more attractive to potential buyers and increase its resale value. 

Reduce Carbon Footprint 

Another compelling reason to install a solar PV system is to reduce your carbon footprint. Solar energy is a clean and renewable source of energy that does not produce harmful emissions. By installing a solar panel system, you can reduce your carbon footprint and help to preserve the environment. 

Minimal Maintenance 

Solar PV systems require minimal maintenance. Once installed, they do not need any special attention, and you do not need to worry about cleaning or replacing them frequently. Solar panels are durable and can last for up to 25 years or more with little maintenance. 

Government Incentives 

The Malaysian government offers incentives to homeowners (NEM) who install solar PV systems on their home’s rooftop. 

Long-Term Savings 

Finally, a solar PV system can provide you with long-term savings. Although the initial cost of installation may be high, the savings over the lifespan of the system can be substantial. With rising energy costs, a solar PV system can help you save money in the long run. 

In conclusion, a solar PV system is indeed a wise investment for homeowners who want to save money, reduce their carbon footprint, and increase their home’s value. With minimal maintenance and long-term savings, installing a solar PV system is a smart choice for homeowners who want to take control of their energy consumption and become more self-sufficient. 

Find out more about how your solar PV system will work here.

In order to encourage the use of renewable energy in Malaysia, the Net Energy Metering Scheme (NEM) was first introduced by the government with a quota of 500 MW allocated up to the year 2020.

This year, the government released NEM 3.0 to continue this initiative with an increased capacity of 800MW, to give users enough quota to use. NEM 3.0 is divided to three categories as per follows:

What is Net Energy Metering (NEM) in Malaysia and What are Its Benefits?

You might be curious about what exactly Net Energy Metering is, and how you can benefit from using it. Let us share with you how! 

The term “Net Energy Metering” (NEM) is a scheme in which the energy generated by a solar photovoltaic (PV) system installed at your premise, will be used first, and then any excess energy generated will be exported back to the grid as credits, provided by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and then used to offset your next electricity bill.

Using net metering in Malaysia will benefit you because it is an alternative for generating electricity from your own solar PV system to offset and reduce your monthly electricity bill.

Solar PV solution providers like us, ensure that your solar PV system is compatible with the energy grid, and  it does not endanger you or anyone else while you maximise your return of investment and savings.

Information extracted from SEDA

The partnership builds upon Pekat’s successful launch of a 12 megawatt-peak (“MWp”) grid-connected solar PV system at PROTON’s manufacturing plant in Tanjung Malim, Perak, complementing the latter with a reduction in carbon footprint and energy costs since March this year.

As part of the collaboration, PROTON will actively promote the adoption of solar PV systems provided by industry suppliers including Pekat’s solar subsidiary Solaroo Systems Sdn Bhd (“Solaroo”) by demonstrating the savings it can generate and the benefits it brings to the environment.

A memorandum of understanding (“MoU”) was inked today between Solaroo and Proton Global Services Sdn Bhd (“PGS”), for this exciting collaboration. PGS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Proton Edar Sdn Bhd.

“With energy costs still elevated, coupled with the continuous push among carbon-conscious stakeholders towards sustainability, the partnership between PGS and Solaroo marks the beginning of the next phase in PROTON’s journey towards a more holistic green energy adoption.

“Following our investment into new energy technologies at Tanjung Malim, we are hoping to adopt more energy savings measures throughout our entire ecosystem in line with the government’s target to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050,” said Roslan Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer, Proton Edar.

“We at Pekat and Solaroo are proud to continue our solar PV journey with PROTON, and provide the best low-carbon solutions for our partner in this long, mutually beneficial relationship,” said Solaroo’s director Johann Sze (施伟强).

“As part of our growth strategy, this collaboration will add to Solaroo’s track record in the commercial and industrial segment. With the inevitable electricity tariff hike, the usage of renewable energy is appreciable in today’s economy,” Johann added.

Pekat’s RM33.1 million, 23-acre solar PV asset at PROTON’s Tanjung Malim plant has the potential to provide annual energy savings of RM5.85 million for the automaker, and reduces carbon dioxide emissions from the facility by up to 11,536 tonnes per annum. Pekat has successfully secured over 195 MW of solar rooftop PV installation projects nationwide across residential and commercial & industrial customers.

Under the collaboration focusing on promoting environmental, social, and corporate governance (“ESG”), Solaroo will include Allianz General’s SolarPro insurance into its operation and maintenance (“O&M”) packages across a five-year period to ensure a hassle-free experience for all its residential consumers.

Chin Soo Mau, Managing Director of Pekat said, the collaboration also reaffirms the long-standing partnership between Pekat and Allianz General on the insurance solution front. “Being able to partner with Allianz General to advance the cause of ESG brings us a sense of fulfilment as we are able to share our expertise and resources with the community, as well as protecting the environment. We are indeed very proud to be able to do this with Allianz General, who shares similar principles and values in sustainability and renewable energy.”  

Allianz General’s SolarPro addresses issues including the lack of support services, high-cost of maintenance and lack of compensation for damages faced by residential and commercial Solar PV owners by offering a comprehensive all-risk protection that covers loss or damage to solar PV systems, as well as loss of income or savings due to system downtime.

Sean Wang, Chief Executive Officer of Allianz General said, the Company was delighted to partner Solaroo as it takes another step towards its overarching goal of becoming key levers in building a sustainable future.

“This partnership with Solaroo is forged on our mutual goal of strengthening our commitment towards driving the green agenda amongst Malaysians, with an opportunity to play a role in shaping a future that is safe, inclusive and sustainable and at the same time securing the future development of solar energy in the country. Our insurance solution, SolarPro, has always been all about providing meaningful support to solar PV users and through our partnership with Solaroo, we hope to further encourage the adoption of solar PV in Malaysia,” added Wang.

12kWp Solar PV System in Johor

The collaboration taps into Solaroo’s expertise in providing highly efficient and safer small-scale solar PV systems through its innovative system design, combined with in-house technology in collaboration with parent company Pekat.

“All of Solaroo’s solar PV systems will be protected by the SolarPro insurance provided by Allianz General. The combination provides assurance for customers on the reliability of the solar PV system while incurring electricity bills saving through the adoption of renewable energy,” adds Director of Solaroo, Johann Sze.

“We are looking to equip 10,000 homes with our solar PV systems in the next few years, capable of generating up to 103 million kWh of electricity a year, which translates to reducing up to 60,000 tonnes of CO2 annually,” adds Sze.

“We realise that for a lot of solar systems, one pain point is the maintenance, because a few years down the road, users may have to replace one big part of the solar panel. Then, it becomes very costly, which they may not want to pay. “The efficiency of the solar panels come down by about 0.55% a year. At the end of the 25-year life, we are looking at a minimum operating efficiency of 85%. The manufacturers also provide a performance warranty for 25 years,” Sze elaborates.

Hence, the birth of Solaroo, a one-stop solar energy solution with a five-year full repayment inclusive of insurance and maintenance. “So, what we did for Solaroo was that we found the most efficient way to include warranties, replacements and insurance into the cost, so that every year you just pay us a fixed fee. If any issue arises during that one year, we can solve nine out of 10 of those issues without extra charges. In the worst-case scenario, we will sit down with the client to explain what the issue is and delve deep into it so that the client understands,” Sze adds.

Click here to read more.

Published in The Edge Prop on 8 October 2021 by Natalie Khoo.