Most Malaysian electricity users can choose from four main routes to renewable power. Those with suitable roofs can look at Solar ATAP, and those without one can look at the Green Electricity Tariff (GET). Larger self-consumers should check SELCO, while big corporate buyers can consider the Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Scheme (CRESS).
The right choice depends on three things: whether you control a roof, how much power you use and how long a contract you can accept. Rules changed significantly over the past year, so older guides may be out of date.
Key Takeaways
- Solar ATAP replaced net metering on 1 January 2026, with a 10-year offset period.
- GET requires no equipment and costs a premium of 3 to 5 sen per kWh under the July 2025 rates.
- SELCO suits sites that want to use all their solar output themselves.
- CRESS suits large buyers that can commit to a contract of at least 10 years.
Which option fits which user?
| Option | Best for | Upfront equipment | Key limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solar ATAP | Homes and businesses with a suitable roof | Yes | 5 kW to 15 kW for homes; up to 1 MWac for non-domestic users |
| GET | Tenants and anyone wanting a simple green option | No | Pays a premium without cutting energy use |
| SELCO | Sites that use their solar output on-site | Yes | Standby charge and battery rule above 1 MWac |
| CRESS | Large corporate buyers | Developer-led | Minimum 10-year contract |
Solar ATAP: for homes and businesses with roofs
Solar ATAP lets you generate your own power and offset exports to the grid. It replaced the Net Energy Metering programme and took effect on 1 January 2026, with applications made through the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (pv magazine, January 2026).
The main rules are:
- Home systems: up to 5 kW on a single-phase connection and up to 15 kW on three-phase.
- Non-domestic systems: up to 100% of maximum demand, capped at 1 MWac.
- Export credits: homes are credited based on the energy charge in their tariff. Non-domestic users are credited at the average system marginal price, which can vary.
- Quota: there is no specific quota allocation.
These limits and credit rules come from Baker McKenzie's January 2026 summary.
Plan around the 10-year limit. After that period, the system continues for self-consumption only, with no offset for exported energy (pv magazine, January 2026). Solar panels often last longer than that, so a payback estimate should not assume export credits past year 10.
Size the system around the power you can use yourself, particularly if you are a business. Exports earn less than the power they replace in most cases, so self-consumption tends to drive the savings. Ask installers to show results with and without exports.
Interest has been strong, with registrations passing 10,000 by May 2026 (Technode Global, July 2026). The pv magazine report says applicants must be registered TNB consumers, so users in Sabah and Sarawak should check what applies locally.
GET: for people without a roof
GET is the simplest option because it requires no hardware. You pay a premium on your electricity bill in return for green electricity attributes. Since 1 July 2025, the premium has been a single tier for all users: 5 sen per kWh on a one-year contract, 4 sen on two years and 3 sen on three years (Free Malaysia Today, July 2025).
The trade-off is clear: GET is usually an added cost, while rooftop solar can cut your bill after the upfront investment. GET suits tenants, shops in shared buildings and companies that need to report green electricity quickly. Confirm the current rates with TNB before you subscribe, because these are the most recent rates this research could verify.
SELCO: for sites that use everything they generate
SELCO (Solar for Self-Consumption) is built for on-site use rather than exporting. It may suit factories and other large sites with steady daytime demand. A notice issued on 31 December 2025 narrowed two requirements so that they apply only to systems above 1 MWac: a standby charge of RM12 per kWp and the battery storage requirement. The earlier thresholds were 1 MWp for the charge and 72 kWp for the battery rule (Baker McKenzie, January 2026).
That change makes many mid-sized systems simpler to approve and operate. The Energy Commission said the changes would be reflected in updated SELCO guidelines, so check the latest version before finalising a design.
CRESS: for large corporate buyers
CRESS lets a developer supply a corporate buyer directly over the existing grid. The buyer does not need a suitable roof or land at its own site, which is a major advantage over the other options, but the commitment is much larger.
The September 2026 acceleration package set out these terms (pv magazine, September 2026):
- Grid charge: a fixed system access charge of RM0.14 per kWh for firm-supply projects, down from RM0.20.
- Deadline: projects must reach commercial operation by 31 December 2028 to get the lower rate, with no extensions.
- Firm supply: a battery of at least 50% of export capacity must sustain output for four consecutive hours.
- Contract: a minimum term of 10 years between developer and consumer.
Excess energy is now governed by the supply contract instead of being treated as free energy to the grid. The parties can agree compensation or resale to another consumer, or decide who keeps the green attributes (Baker McKenzie, January 2026). Corporate buyers should cover those points early in negotiations.
The total price is the figure to compare, not just the access charge. Ask for an all-in delivered cost per kWh, then compare it with your current tariff over the full contract term. Since 2024, 11 developers and eight green consumers have registered, covering 3,148 MW (pv magazine, September 2026).
How to choose
Work through these questions in order:
- Do you control a suitable roof? If not, look at GET, or CRESS if you are a large corporate user.
- Do you use most of your power in the daytime? If so, a solar system sized to your daytime load is likely to work best.
- Do you need certified green power across several sites? GET or CRESS may be easier than many separate rooftop projects.
- Can you commit for 10 years or more? If not, CRESS is unlikely to fit, while a one-year GET contract keeps your options open.
Most of these routes lead back to solar today, but the technology mix is broader. Ajinomoto Malaysia's overview of renewable energy sources also covers bioenergy and hydropower, which may be relevant if your business produces organic waste or operates in a remote area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get renewable energy in Malaysia without installing solar panels?
Yes. GET lets TNB customers buy green electricity attributes through a premium on their bill, without installing equipment. Large corporate users can also consider CRESS.
Has Solar ATAP replaced net metering?
Yes. Solar ATAP took effect on 1 January 2026 and succeeded the Net Energy Metering programme for new applicants.
What happens to my Solar ATAP system after 10 years?
The system can keep running for your own use, but excess exports no longer earn an offset.
Next step
Start with 12 months of electricity bills. They show your maximum demand, daytime load and tariff, which together determine which of these options you qualify for and whether the numbers work. Then request written quotes that state the assumptions behind any savings figure.
