Written reply to PQ on Encouraging Solar Panel Installation in Private and Landed Properties

Question:

Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry in light of the ongoing efforts to expand solar panel installations in public residential areas, whether similar initiatives or requirements will be extended to private developments and landed properties.

Written Answer by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong

1.                  The Government has taken the lead in accelerating rooftop solar deployment on public properties, through programmes such as the SolarNova programme, because we own the properties. For private developments, the Government will nudge them to do the same by simplifying regulations to facilitate solar deployment. For example, EMA’s Simplified Credit Treatment Scheme or Enhanced Central Intermediary Scheme allows private property owners to register their solar installations with SP Group and be paid directly through their monthly bill. 

2.                  With the declining cost of solar panels, the current payback period for a residential solar power system could be as short as five years. We are making good progress towards meeting the target of 2 gigawatt-peak (GWp) of solar deployment by 2030, having achieved over 1.7 GWp of installed solar capacity as at June 2025. We will continue to explore ways to facilitate increased adoption of solar on public and private developments.