DECISION

On the approval of the Promotion program for the development of rooftop solar power in Vietnam in the 2019 – 2025 period

_____________________

THE MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE

Pursuant to the Government's Decree No. 98/2017/ND-CP dated August 18, 2017 on functions, tasks, jurisdiction and organizational structure of the Ministry of Industry and Trade

Pursuant to the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 2068/QD-TTg dated November 25, 2015 on the Approval of the Viet Nam's Renewable Energy Development Strategy to 2030, vision to 2050

Pursuant to Ministry of Industry and Trade's Decision 3816/QD-BCT dated October 02, 2017 on the functions, tasks, jurisdiction and organizational structure of the Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority

At the proposal of the Director General of the Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority

DECIDES:

Article 1. Approval of the Promotion program for the development of rooftop solar power in Vietnam in the 2019 – 2025 period (hereinafter referred to as the RTS Program), includes these main contents

1. Name of the Program: Promotion program for the development of rooftop solar power in the 2019 – 2025 period

2. Objectives of the RTS Program

a) Overall objective: to implement the Viet Nam's Renewable Energy Development Strategy to 2030, vision to 2050 via solutions on the development of the market for rooftop solar power (RTS) technology.

b) Specific objective: At the end of 2025, 100,000 (one hundred thousand) RTS systems (or the equivalent of 1,000 MWp) are installed and in operation in the country.

3. Program Components:

3.1 Develop and complete policies, regulations relevant to the support of the development of rooftop solar with the orientation to shift to market conditions.

The component includes the following groups of activities:

1. Research and evaluate the RTS potential and the impact upon the distribution grid
2. Research and propose mechanisms, policies, and regulations to promote the development of RTS
3. Standards, inspection, and testing

The component includes the following groups of activities:

1. Research and develop standards, codes, and guidelines for technical equipment, installation, connection to the grid and operation of the RTS system;
2. Research and development the procedures for RTS equipment quality assurance; implement the pilot and improve the capacity of the inspection agencies, and management agencies.
3. Promote market conditions and pilot support program

The component includes the following groups ofactivities:

1. Research, analyze, and examine the market, identify demand and the roles of relevant stakeholders (supplier of equipment and service, investors and project developers, rooftop owners, and electricity buyers) and identify the target groups and the sources of funding and technical support.
2. Implement pilot support programs and projects on investment and technical assistance.
3. RTS Certification Program

The component includes the following groups of activities:

1. Evaluate the demand and develop an action plan for capacity building, training for all levels, all sectors, investors, service providers, installers, operators and relevant organizations and individuals;
2. Implement RTS Training and Certification program (RTS Certificate) for equipment providers, consulting service providers; organizations and individuals that install RTS systems participating in the RTS Program;
3. Develop and implement a capacity building plan for universities, technical and vocational training centers.
4. Develop the information management system and communication plan The component includes the following groups of activities:
   1. Develop and maintain an online database on solar power and RTS in order to support the management, planning, monitoring, report and development of the market.
   2. Develop strategy, design and implement communication activities and disseminate information on RTS (website, television, conference, workshop, forum…).
   3. Organize conference and forum to exchange and disseminate experience and recommendations on the development process of policies and replication of development models.

Specific activities of the RTS Program can be found in the attached Appendix.

1. Implementation timeframe: 2019 to 2023

2.Resource mobilization for the RTS Program

• Integrate RTS Program's activities with technical assistance projects, ODA projects, and activities within the responsibilities of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
• Resources from local authorities:
• Support from donors, companies, organization in accordance with current regulations.

3.Implementation organization:

1. Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority:

• Lead and coordinate with relevant agencies, People’s Committee of provinces and central-administrated cities and EVN to implement the RTS Program;
• Establish the Project Steering Committee which includes the leaders of relevant agencies of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, leaders of EVN, and representatives from donors for the cooperation to create an annual plan and the implementation of RTS Program’s activities. A Group of Experts which includes the representatives from relevant agencies, representatives from donors and independent experts will support the Project Steering Committee. The costs for human resources and operation of the Group of Experts will be mobilized from the resources of the donors.
• Organize periodical, mid-term, and final evaluation of the RTS Program, promote the cooperation between relevant stakeholders to ensure the implementation of the RTS Program’s targets and to achieve expected outcomes.
• Report periodically to the Ministry of Industry and Trade on the progress and the results of the RTS Program and recommendation solutions.

2. People’s Committees of Provinces and central-administrated cities

• Coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade in the evaluation of potential activities and identifications of areas with potential for the development RTS in accordance with plans for urban developments, industrial and economic zones.
• Have a mechanism to encourage the development on administrative, commercials, services, and office buildings that have RTS system within jurisdiction.

3. EVN

• Implement activities to support RTS in accordance with function and jurisdiction.
• Instruct electricity agencies to connect RTS systems to the grid in a fast, timely manner while ensuring compliance with regulations and operational safety.
• Develop and implement information management system for solar power and RTS in the country.

Article 2. This Decision takes effect on the signing date.

Article 3. Chief of the Office of the Ministry, Director General of the Finance and Business Innovation Department, Director General of the Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority, Director of the EVN and Heads of relevant agencies shall be responsible for implementing this Decision./.