VietNamNet Bridge – Three years after beginning a pilot programme to buy solar power at VND2,000 (8.7 US cents) per kWh generated in homes and offices, HCM City has signed up 290 consumers.

Solar panels being installed on a house in Tan Binh District, HCM City. — Photo sggp.org.vn

The city’s power tariffs for domestic consumption range from VND1,549 to VND2,701 per kWh, depending on the quantum of use.

Tuoi tre newspaper quoted some people as saying that the high cost of solar panels and equipment is what prevents more from signing up.

Phu Hoang Yen of Tan Binh District said, for instance, she first knew about the solar programme in 2016 through the media, but at that time installing the panels cost VND200 million (US$8,700).

Last June, when the cost had gone down to around VND100 million, she bought the system, but even that price is unaffordable to many people, she said.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga of Phu Nhuan District thought about it many times before finally deciding to spend VND105 million on a solar power system.

The people’s committees of districts 2 and 4 and other departments have also got solar panels installed.

Lam Hung Tan, deputy chairman of the District 4 People’s Committee, said with the help of the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) his office installed a 345sq.m panel at a cost of VND1 billion.

“The cost is still relatively high. A household has to spend VND79.5 million for the cheapest package. At that cost, encouraging its adoption is not easy.”

Incentives

Nguyen Hoang Gia of DoST’s energy solutions and new energy unit said his department is offering several incentives for solar power like free consultancy, technical assistance and installation, with consumers only having to pay for the solar panels and other equipment.

It also gets them a 15 per cent discount from a local company selling solar panels.

SolarBK Corporation, another major renewables company, said it is working with banks to enable customers to get loans for buying solar panels.

It also offers a 10 per cent discount to buyers referred by Electricity of Viet Nam (EVN) in HCM City.

Solar energy helps save electricity costs by a third.

Phu Hoang Yen of HCM City’s Tan Binh District said with the use of solar power her electricity bill has gone down to VND1 million a month from VND3 million.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga of Phu Nhuan District said she only pays VND1.4 million a month for electricity now, saving around VND700,000 after installing solar panels.

The District 4 People’s Committee has cut its electricity bills from VND91 million to VND84 million a month.

Lam Hung Tan, its deputy chairman, said the bills would go down further soon since the system could not achieve full capacity due to rainy weather recently.

He said there are plans to install solar panels in some hospitals and schools in the district.

Source: VNS