Do you want to know if you can obtain benefits from nem rakyat? Let’s clarify things out because a lot of Malaysians are perplexed by this. Spoiler alert: this solar incentive program isn’t just for people who work in tech or are very into energy. It’s for normal folks, even those with a “normal” home and a typical amount of money.
You have to be a citizen of Malaysia first. There are no gaps in this. You’re on the correct route if your IC says “Malaysian.” But wait, there’s more. NEM Rakyat is only for people who own homes. That comprises single-family homes, bungalows, terrace homes, semi-detached homes, townhouses, apartments, and condos. If you live in a “rumah kampung” where the sun shines on your roof a lot, you can get the same benefits as someone who lives in the suburbs of Subang Jaya.
But hold on—if you rent, you can’t just place solar panels on the roof without asking first. You have to either own the property or get formal permission from the owner. Yes, that means filling out some forms and talking to your landlord. It’s like trying to get “mak” to give you an extra bowl of laksa: it pays to keep trying.
You also need to have an account with Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) for electricity. Don’t you have a TNB account in your name? That will be a problem. This account connects your solar production and savings directly to your monthly power bill, which makes sure that everything is legal and operates properly. If you own more than one property, you can apply for each one separately as long as each one has a valid TNB account.
Remember that NEM Rakyat also has some rules that make sense. The biggest residential system size for terrace or landed homes is 10 kilowatts. Most condos and apartments that aren’t on land can only utilize 4 kilowatts of power per unit. Don’t plan to construct a solar farm on your balcony. Your neighbors will be satisfied if you keep it real.
If you live in Malaysia, own your own home, and have a TNB account, NEM Rakyat will make things easier for you. Want to use the sun in the tropics to cut down on your electricity bill? Give it a shot. Your roof could make you money, and you could live a healthier, greener life that even your wise old uncle would like.