Roofs of factories in industrial zones: Great potential for developing solar power

A business is introducing solar lamps on the sidelines of the conference on applying renewable energy solutions and intelligent energy management on the IoT platform recently organized by the Department of Science and Technology.

According to the Prime Minister's Decision No. 13/2020/QD-TTg, there are about 3 months left for investors, business owners and households to enjoy preferential prices when connecting the rooftop solar grid. Therefore, the rooftop solar PV market in the province is considered to be quite active.

Great advantages in technical infrastructure

At the conference on applying renewable energy solutions and intelligent energy management on the IoT platform recently organized by the Department of Science and Technology, most of the businesses attended said that, Dong Nai had many advantages to develop solar power projects in industrial zones and clusters. Most investors had plans to develop rooftop solar power projects in the form of consulting and installation for companies or renting the roofs of factories to install solar power, then reselling power to enterprises in the industrial zone and power industry.

Mr. Bui Viet Phuong, Head of the Marketing Department of DAT Technology Co., Ltd. (Ho Chi Minh City), advised that Dong Nai is quite favorable in developing solar power in industrial zones. That is more than 7 thousand hectares of factory roof area in the industrial zones which are almost vacant. Installing solar batteries on the roof of the factories and businesses will not require investors to spend capital for technical infrastructure. The panels will generate the highest energy from about 9-15 hours, this is the peak of production for businesses; in case of no need for use, it can be sold to the power industry.

Mr. Phuong added that the company is currently providing solutions and equipment to develop renewable energy and save electricity. In addition, the company is cooperating with international partners and international investment funds to rent roofs of enterprises' factories to invest in rooftop solar power projects to be sold to those enterprises or to EVN.

“The company's goal is to install 500MW of solar power in 2020 and increase the installed capacity to 1GW in 2021. Therefore, in addition to installation as per customers' needs, we do a business of energy by hiring factory roofs, equipment installation and sale of electricity. This method brings dual benefits to us, factory roof rentals, and the power industry," shared Mr. Phuong.

Mr. Tran Tuan Anh, Deputy Technical Director of Vu Phong Solar Energy Joint Stock Company, stated that the Government's policy of synchronous, rational and diversified development of energy types, prioritization of thorough and effective exploitation and use of renewable energy as well as new and clean energy sources is creating great opportunities for businesses looking for investment opportunities. Currently, about 82% of factory roofs, buildings, and commercial centers have not been exploited yet. Vu Phong Solar Energy Joint Stock Company is promoting marketing activities in Dong Nai market with the hope of increasing sales by installing solar batteries, selling solar street lights and implementing solutions using renewable energy and intelligent energy management on the IoT platform for businesses.

The rooftop solar power market in Dong Nai is quite active and possess a lot of potential. We believe that this is a very good opportunity to promote and develop products and services," said the representative of the company.

Maximum support for businesses and investors

Rooftop solar panels are being installed for a business in Tam Phuoc Industrial Zone (Bien Hoa City)

Mr. Nguyen Van Vien, Director of Center for Science and Technology (Department of Science and Technology) said that annually, units such as the Department of Industry and Trade, Department of Science and Technology, and Dong Nai Power One-Member Limited Company organize events and programs, and support some businesses to save energy in production.

Implementing the Science and Technology Program to support enterprises to improve their competitiveness in the 2016-2020 period, the Department of Science and Technology has researched and proposed energy saving solutions to for wide dissemination and application; deployed energy audits for a number of domestic businesses to grasp current state of energy use and support them in economical and efficient use of energy. This is the basis for the Department to propose mechanisms and solutions to promote enterprises to invest in science and technology application in order to reduce energy costs, help reduce production costs and improve competitiveness.

Mr. Pham Viet Ai, Head of the Sales Department of Dong Nai Power One-Member Limited Company, said that the power industry has been implementing many supporting and encouraging activities, especially with rooftop solar power. That is simple procedure of connecting and buying solar power. After installation, in case that residents, businesses, and investors wish to sell electricity, they just need to call the customer care switchboard of the power industry, then they will be supported to check condition for the grid connection, installation of a two-way galvanometer and signing of power purchase and sales contract. Dong Nai Electricity has also built a power development plan in general and rooftop solar power development in particular, synchronously from power generation - transmission - distribution to meet the needs of investors for the grid connection.

Regarding the development of renewable energy in the province, recently, the Provincial People's Committee issued the Energy Development Plan to 2030, with a vision to 2045. Accordingly, Dong Nai will facilitate and encourage investors, businesses, and households to install rooftop solar power panels for private uses or sales to reduce supply pressure for the power industry and reduce risk of power shortage. The province will restructure the fields and regions with high demand for electricity, especially industrial production areas to improve energy efficiency, and continue to implement the policy of using clean, economical and efficient energy in production and consumption.

Dong Nai is considered as a province with great potential for rooftop solar power development. It is the rooftop solar PV system of factories in industrial zones and clusters, people's houses, and hi-tech agricultural projects. These are available works, just required to install a battery system to collect energy. In addition, Dong Nai is a province with average solar radiation of about 1.85 thousand kWh/m2/year, the average total hours of sunshine are about 2.5 thousand hours/ year, higher than that of other provinces and cities in the area. This is an ideal condition for the solar battery to reach its maximum capacity. In addition, the Prime Minister's Decision No. 13/2020/QD-TTg on the rooftop solar power development and energy development plan to 2030, with a vision to 2045 of Dong Nai, is creating favorable conditions for investors.

Phan Anh