Government Decree No. 243 Creates a More Enabling Regulatory Framework for Self-Generation and Self-Consumption Rooftop Solar PV

1. Scope and classification of rooftop solar PV systems

Development scope

Primarily limited to solar PV systems installed on the roofs of buildings and structures.

Expanded to include building envelope surfaces and structures developed under multi-purpose land-use arrangements.

Classification of generating facilities

Primarily based on installed capacity thresholds of 100 kW and 1,000 kW.

Based on the voltage level at the point of grid connection: low voltage or medium voltage.

2. Development and administrative procedures

Notification requirements

Administrative procedures were generally determined by project capacity and project category.

Low-voltage connection, with or without surplus electricity sales: only a notification is required to be submitted to the relevant commune-level People’s Committee or Department of Industry and Trade; no supporting dossier is required. *Medium-voltage connection without surplus electricity sales:** only a notification is required to be submitted to the relevant provincial-level authority or Department of Industry and Trade; no supporting dossier is required.

Licensing requirements

Registration and approval requirements were generally linked to installed capacity thresholds.

A licence is required where the generating facility is connected to the medium-voltage network and sells surplus electricity. A project owner may also voluntarily apply for a licence where required for project purposes. The licensing authority is the provincial-level People’s Committee, generally through the Department of Industry and Trade. The prescribed licensing timeframe is within 10 days.

Registration dossier

A relatively extensive dossier, including the application form, design drawings, and copies of documentation relating to the building or structure supporting the rooftop PV system. Depending on the applicable sector-specific regulations, documentation could include investment policy approval, construction permits, fire prevention and firefighting acceptance records, construction completion and acceptance documentation, and environmental permits or registrations.

The dossier is substantially simplified and generally includes only:

- Application form; - Single-line or grid connection diagram; - Fire prevention and firefighting documentation, where applicable.

3. Monitoring, control, and operational equipment requirements

Generating facilities with a capacity exceeding 100 kW were required to install monitoring and control equipment.

- Low-voltage connection, with or without surplus electricity sales:

 *No dedicated monitoring and control equipment is required;

 *A bidirectional revenue meter is required where surplus electricity is sold.

-Medium-voltageconnection without surplus electricity sales:

  * No dedicated monitoring and control equipment is required;

  * A Zero-Export or reverse power flow prevention device is required.

-Medium-voltage connection with surplus electricity sales:

 * The generating facility must be equipped with communication and interface facilities enabling connection to electricity data acquisition, monitoring, and control systems.

4. Sale and purchase of surplus electricity

Maximum surplus electricity volume eligible for purchase

Up to 20% of the actual electricity output generated.

Up to 50% of the actual electricity output generated.

Eligible surplus electricity sellers

- Generating facilities included in the applicable power development plan; - Individual residential rooftop solar systems below 100 kW; - Facilities classified as public assets were not permitted to sell surplus electricity.

- Households;

-Generating facilities connected to the low-voltage network;

-Projects located in mountainous, border, and island areas;

-Facilities classified as public assets;

- Other generating facilities included in the applicable power development plan.

Battery energy storage systems

The treatment of electricity charged into and discharged from energy storage systems was not fully clarified.

BESS capacity may be determined according to the project owner’s operational requirements.

Electricity discharged from the storage system may be eligible for sale as surplus electricity.

Eligible purchasers of surplus electricity

Limited to EVN-affiliated power companies.

-EVN-affiliated power companies;

-Private grid owners, including entities engaged in electricity wholesale and retail activities.

Surplus electricity purchase price

Not clearly specified in the previous comparison framework.

- Surplus electricity may be purchased until 2030;

 - The purchase price is linked to the previous year’s spot market electricity price as announced by the National Power System and Market Operation Company (NSMO);

- The applicable purchase price for 2026 is VND 844.8/kWh, pursuant to NSMO Official Letter No. 205/NSMO-TTD dated 16 January 2026.

Documentation for surplus electricity transactions

Required additional supporting documents relating to construction compliance, fire prevention and firefighting, and environmental procedures.

The required documentation is streamlined and includes: - A written request to sell surplus electricity;

- Certificates of Origin and Certificates of Quality (CO/CQ);

- A copy of the relevant Notification or Certificate. surplus electricity seller bears legal responsibility for the validity and accuracy of the documents used as the basis for execution of the power purchase agreement.