Registering for rooftop solar power to help the power system operate safely
Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) has just proposed to the Ministry of Industry and Trade to supplement regulations on administrative sanctions for organizations and individuals developing self-produced and self-consumed solar power without registration, depending on the severity of the violation.
In an interview with Lao Dong, Dr. Nguyen Xuan Quang - Institute of Energy Technology (Hanoi University of Science and Technology) assessed that with EVN's proposal, in principle, installing rooftop solar power without grid connection will not directly affect the general power system.
However, this has an indirect impact, mainly related to the management, safety and operation of the national power system. The uncontrolled development of rooftop solar energy will make it difficult to accurately predict actual demand, leading to maintaining a larger than necessary reserve source, causing expensive operating costs and possibly affecting the stability of the national grid.
According to Dr. Nguyen Xuan Quang, the national power system operates on the basis of balancing real-time supply and demand, any power source connected to the power grid affects the stable frequency, voltage and safe operation of the system. Widespread installation without notification can change the overall picture of electricity demand, forcing sudden adjustments to power source planning (such as thermal power plants, hydropower plants), affecting socio-economic efficiency.
"If the system is installed incorrectly, it can easily cause fire and explosion safety problems. If this happens, it will indirectly affect the power system if it occurs in densely populated areas or near power infrastructure.
Solar power capacity depends on the weather, if many off-grid systems are developed without being monitored, it can create a sudden "wave" of demand from the grid during low tide, putting pressure on the system. If the dispatching agency does not have comprehensive data on the number and capacity of these systems, making an operating plan, forecasting the load and handling the incident will face many risks" - Dr. Nguyen Xuan Quang analyzed.
Taking an example from international experience, Dr. Nguyen Xuan Quang said that in many developed countries such as Germany, Australia, and Japan, registration and declaration of rooftop solar power systems is mandatory and a prerequisite for connecting to the power grid. In Vietnam, if you want to build a smart grid, you cannot ignore this management step.
"The announcement helps EVN manage more effectively, prepare stable supply sources; Ensure fire safety and operation, with guidance from the Department of Industry and Trade, construction management; Contributing to the development of sustainable renewable energy, reducing the load on the national grid without causing risks" - Dr. Nguyen Xuan Quang said.
Encourage - propagate before punishing
Dr. Nguyen Xuan Quang said that the point to emphasize is the implementation method and policy communication. It is necessary to clearly explain to people that registration does not mean tax or limiting the use of solar power, but is a condition to ensure the safe operation of the national power system. At the same time, it creates opportunities for households to sell surplus electricity to the grid in the future when a mechanism for buying and selling distributed electricity is implemented.
When people clearly see the benefits and do not feel "undue compulsory", they will proactively cooperate. If there are immediate regulations on administrative sanctions without a registration mechanism and simple and transparent instructions, the risk of causing negative reactions from the people is very high.
"First of all, it is necessary to perfect the legal framework: Amend and supplement Decree 58/2025 to clearly stipulate the responsibility for notification and registration of rooftop solar power investors, and clearly assign management responsibilities to local power units.
At the same time, it is necessary to establish a simple digital platform so that people and businesses can register online easily, free, and time-consumingly, while transparently publicizing total capacity data to create trust. Only when the registration system has been operating stably can sanctions be applied to cases of intentional non-compliance" - Dr. Nguyen Xuan Quang recommended.
Dr. Nguyen Xuan Quang believes that in order for the policy to be feasible, effective and receive social consensus, it is necessary to design a cautious, transparent implementation roadmap and focus on propaganda - support before applying sanctions.
In fact, in recent times, the electricity industry has repeatedly encountered public backlash for lack of explanatory communication, making policies that are professionalally correct but difficult to achieve social consensus. EVN should follow the roadmap: Encouragement - propaganda - towards mandatory. It is necessary to clearly explain the long-term benefits to create social consensus - Dr. Nguyen Xuan Quang recommended.
