Malaysia’s Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (Petra) says more than 667 net-metered consumers have installed solar power systems and received rebates from the country’s Solar for Rakyat Incentive Scheme (SolaRIS), which opened in April.
Petra says the majority of beneficiaries have so far received the maximum MYR4,000 ($875.61) available under the scheme.
The figure was released after a Malaysian politician, Mohd Hasbie Muda, asked about the latest development in the program and whether it can help the government achieve its renewable energy targets.
A response from the ministry said SolaRIS “will increase demand for solar installations among domestic users and contribute to the objective of increasing renewable energy capacity in line with the National Energy Transition Roadmap.”
The ministry added that the number of applications for the country’s net metering program, NEM Rakyat, has increased from about 100 per day to 150 per day since the launch of the SolaRIS program.
When SolaRIS opened, Malaysian authorities said applications will be open until the end of the year, with allocation determined on a first-come, first-served basis.
In May, Petra launched the Solar@PETRA Initiative, a program to encourage citizens and private organizations to adopt solar energy.
Malaysia is also supporting the development of industrial-scale solar energy, with the fifth round of its large-scale solar tender, with up to 2 GW available for rooftop, ground and floating solar projects, announced earlier this year.
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