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Rooftop solar panels, are they worth it?
The rooftop photovoltaic (PV) solar panel ecosystem in Indonesia has plenty of room for improvement, experts say, but the shiny plates could already be a worthwhile investment for individuals as the government is pushing for PV utilization.
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Power from on high: A technician cleans a photovoltaic panel at state vocational school SMK 3 in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, in this undated picture. (JP/Kharishar Kahfi)
T
here is a great deal of room for improvement in the rooftop photovoltaic (PV) solar panel ecosystem in Indonesia, experts say, but the shiny plates could already be a worthwhile investment for individuals as the government pushes for PV utilization.
The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry is drafting a bill on rooftop PV systems connected to power grids as it seeks to engage homeowners in its renewable-energy plans.
Indonesia Solar Energy Association (AESI) executive director Fabby Tumiwa told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday that the proposed legislation included a revision of energy ministry Regulation No. 49/2018 concerning the use of rooftop solar power systems.
The revision requires state-owned electricity company PLN to deduct 100 percent of the electricity produced by a solar panel from a user’s bills, as opposed to 65 percent at present. While PLN will not pay users for excess power they feed into the grid, the increased potential savings on their personal electricity bills can help PV system owners recoup their investment more quickly.
“[The new regulation] is expected to help homeowners install rooftop solar panels going forward,” said Fabby, who is also the executive director of the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR).
A typical rooftop PV panel system may cost between Rp 14 million (US$967) and Rp 25 million, according to the ministry document. The price varies depending on several aspects, including the type of components used and the company customers engage with for the service.
Read also: New solar panel regulation discourages public use
