At the National Farmers Forum, Vietnam’s electricity regulator emphasized the environmental and economic benefits of rooftop solar, and why it must be registered - even for small-scale setups.

At the 10th National Farmers Forum held on October 1, Ta Thi Thuan, Vice Chairwoman of the Gia Lam Commune Farmers’ Association (Hanoi), highlighted the importance of green and sustainable development, as emphasized in Resolution 70 of the Politburo, which encourages the use of renewable and circular energy.

She noted that many farmers are eager to invest in rooftop solar, biogas, and agricultural by-product energy to reduce costs and protect the environment. However, they still face barriers, such as high upfront investment, inconsistent energy output, and limited technical knowledge.

Thuan asked what specific policies and incentives the government has in place to support farmers, cooperatives, and agri-businesses in adopting renewable energy.

Responding to these concerns, Pham Nguyen Hung, Director General of the Department of Electricity under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, affirmed that both the Party and the State strongly support the development of rooftop solar power.

This is not merely policy - it is also a practical part of advancing a circular economy.

Hung explained that livestock and crop production can be integrated into circular energy models. For example, farmers can convert agricultural and livestock waste into biogas and pair it with rooftop solar systems to generate clean electricity for on-site use - or even sell surplus energy back to the grid.

“Farmers must seize the opportunity to harness infinite energy sources by installing rooftop solar systems,” he urged. “This helps reduce production costs, cut power bills, and makes our agricultural products truly green.”

Hung shared Vietnam’s ambitious target: by 2030, 50% of households will be equipped with rooftop solar, enabling families to generate their own power.

He added that current policies allow surplus electricity to be sold back to the national grid. For homes with large roof space, solar output often exceeds consumption needs, making it financially viable to sell the excess.

To support this vision, Decision 13 will soon be revised to continue promoting rooftop solar by region. This decentralized energy production model reduces strain on centralized plants and transmission lines.

“We want farmers to be smart consumers. Installing rooftop solar provides clear cost savings,” Hung emphasized.

However, he also advised households to consider installing energy storage systems, especially since solar power isn’t generated at night - while peak electricity demand typically falls between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.

In November, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is expected to issue new economic and technical support policies for rooftop solar systems. These include subsidized loans through the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies, offering preferential interest rates for three years and financial aid of $80 to $120 per household for installation costs.

Agricultural farms that combine food production and animal husbandry with solar power will also qualify for these incentives, according to Hung.

Regarding the need to notify or register rooftop solar installations, Hung explained that this is critical for ensuring electricity quality and grid stability. Larger projects must register, while smaller household systems are required to provide notification.

“This is essential not only for managing the national power system but also for forecasting power loads and planning distributed sources. It also ensures technical safety and fire prevention - especially for systems with energy storage units (BESS),” he said.

According to the Ministry’s estimates, if 14 million households install rooftop solar under the revised Power Development Plan VIII, the government may need to allocate up to $1.72 billion in direct subsidies from 2025 to 2030.

Such support could give farmers and cooperatives the confidence to invest in clean energy - cutting production costs while building a greener agriculture sector.

Tam An