Solar100 Malaysia Rooftop Solar Programme Guide

How Is Solar ATAP Different From NEM 3.0?

Last updated: July 2026

Solar ATAP is the rooftop solar programme introduced after the application period for Malaysia’s Net Energy Metering 3.0 programme ended. Both programmes prioritise the use of solar electricity at the consumer’s premises and allow eligible surplus electricity to be exported to the grid. However, they differ in programme structure, consumer categories, capacity limits, export-credit treatment, virtual aggregation options, technical assessments and application rules.

Quick Answer NEM 3.0 operated through three separate categories: NEM Rakyat for domestic consumers, NEM GoMEn for government premises and NOVA for non-domestic consumers. Its quota application period ended on 30 June 2025. Solar ATAP took effect on 1 January 2026 and uses a broader domestic and non-domestic structure. Domestic Solar ATAP limits are generally 5 kW for single-phase supply and 15 kW for three-phase supply. Non-domestic capacity may reach 100% of Maximum Demand, subject to technical assessment, with a maximum of 1,000 kW. Solar ATAP also uses its own energy-offset rate and does not reproduce NOVA Category B’s multi-premise virtual-aggregation structure.

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Solar ATAP vs NEM 3.0: What Is the Main Difference?

Solar ATAP is a continuation and restructuring of Malaysia’s earlier consumer-based rooftop solar framework. It retains the general principle that solar electricity should be used at the premises first, with eligible surplus energy exported to the grid.

The main difference is that Solar ATAP is not simply a reopening of NEM 3.0. It has a new programme name, updated consumer classifications, revised capacity rules, a new energy-offset framework and different treatment for non-domestic projects.

NEM 3.0

A quota-based programme divided into NEM Rakyat, NEM GoMEn and NOVA, with category-specific offset and capacity rules.

Solar ATAP

A successor programme organised mainly around domestic and non-domestic consumers under updated capacity and offset rules.

Shared Principle

Both programmes encourage the consumer to use solar electricity at the premises before exporting surplus electricity.

Different Contracts

Each programme operates under its own approval, contract, billing and technical requirements.

Solar ATAP Is a New Programme Framework: It should not be assumed that every NEM 3.0 benefit, capacity rule or billing arrangement continues unchanged.

1. How Are the Programme Periods Different?

Programme	Application or Implementation Period	Current Position
NEM 3.0	Introduced in 2021, with the extended quota application period ending on 30 June 2025	Closed to new quota applications, subject to existing approved projects and contracts
Solar ATAP	Effective from 1 January 2026	Current successor programme for eligible new rooftop solar applications

The Application Closing Date Does Not Cancel Existing NEM Contracts: Consumers with valid NEM approvals remain subject to their existing programme contracts unless an approved change is made.

2. How Are the Consumer Categories Different?

NEM 3.0 Category	Intended Consumer	Solar ATAP Treatment
NEM Rakyat	Domestic residential consumers	Generally falls under the Solar ATAP domestic category
NEM GoMEn	Government ministries, departments, agencies and entities	Assessed under the applicable Solar ATAP consumer and tariff classification
NOVA Category A	Non-domestic consumers using on-site net offset	Generally assessed under Solar ATAP non-domestic rules
NOVA Category B	Non-domestic consumers using virtual aggregation across designated premises	Solar ATAP does not reproduce the same multi-premise NOVA Category B structure

Solar ATAP Uses a Simpler High-Level Classification: The programme is primarily structured around domestic and non-domestic consumers rather than three separately branded NEM initiatives.

3. How Are Domestic Solar Capacity Limits Different?

Domestic Supply	NEM Rakyat	Solar ATAP
Single Phase	Up to 5 kWac	Generally up to 5 kW; a Connection Confirmation Check may be required above the standard threshold
Three Phase	Up to 12.5 kWac	Generally up to 15 kW; a Connection Confirmation Check may be required above the standard threshold

The Three-Phase Domestic Limit Increased: The published NEM Rakyat limit was 12.5 kWac, while the standard Solar ATAP domestic three-phase limit is 15 kW.

Higher Capacity Still Requires Technical Suitability: Roof area, electrical supply, connection conditions, consumption and technical approval must still be considered.

4. How Are Non-Domestic Capacity Limits Different?

NEM 3.0 used different limits for NEM GoMEn, NOVA Category A and NOVA Category B. Solar ATAP applies a more unified non-domestic capacity rule.

Programme or Category	Capacity Basis	Maximum Published Limit
NEM GoMEn	Medium-voltage capacity generally limited to 75% of Maximum Demand; low-voltage limits linked to fuse or CT rating	1,000 kW
NOVA Category A	Generally up to 75% of Maximum Demand, subject to applicable low-voltage limits	1,000 kW
NOVA Category B	Up to 100% of Maximum Demand with virtual aggregation and applicable technical limits	5,000 kW
Solar ATAP Non-Domestic	Up to 100% of Maximum Demand, subject to technical assessment	1,000 kW

Solar ATAP Raises the General Maximum-Demand Ratio: A qualifying non-domestic Solar ATAP project may be sized up to 100% of Maximum Demand, but the programme’s maximum system limit is 1,000 kW.

Solar ATAP Does Not Retain NOVA Category B’s 5 MW Limit: Larger former NOVA Category B-style projects should not assume that the same capacity and aggregation structure remains available.

5. How Is the Export-Energy Offset Different?

Programme	Export Treatment	Main Point
NEM Rakyat	One-to-one energy offset	Eligible exported units were offset against imported units under the NEM Rakyat billing rules
NEM GoMEn	One-to-one energy offset	Eligible exported units were used to offset electricity imported under the applicable programme rules
NOVA	Credit based on Average System Marginal Price	Exported energy was valued using the applicable monthly Average SMP mechanism
Solar ATAP	Programme-specific energy-offset rate	Exported energy is credited using the Solar ATAP offset and current electricity-billing framework

Solar ATAP Is Not Automatically a One-to-One Offset: Consumers should not assume that every exported kilowatt-hour has the same billing value as every kilowatt-hour imported from the grid.

Proposal Savings Must Use the Correct Offset Method: A financial calculation based on old NEM Rakyat one-to-one assumptions may overstate Solar ATAP savings.

6. How Is Credit Roll-Over Different?

NEM Rakyat and NEM GoMEn Eligible credits could generally be rolled over for up to twelve months, subject to the applicable NEM contract and billing rules.

NOVA Export value was generally credited for use against the next billing period under the applicable category.

Solar ATAP Export offsets are treated under the Solar ATAP billing mechanism and contract rather than automatically following the old NEM roll-over method.

After the ATAP Contract No offset or roll-over applies to excess energy exported after the ten-year Solar ATAP period.

Do Not Assume Old Credits Can Be Carried into a New Programme: Existing credits, contract rights and billing treatment depend on the original NEM agreement and any formally approved programme change.

7. Does Solar ATAP Include NOVA Virtual Aggregation?

NEM 3.0 NOVA Category B allowed eligible non-domestic consumers to allocate the value of exported solar electricity to as many as three designated premises, including qualifying premises operated by wholly owned subsidiaries.

Solar ATAP is generally structured around the electricity account and premises where the solar system is installed. It does not reproduce the same NOVA Category B virtual-aggregation arrangement across multiple designated premises.

Feature	NOVA Category B	Solar ATAP
On-Site Self-Consumption	Yes	Yes
Export to Grid	Yes	Yes, subject to Solar ATAP rules
Credit to Designated Premises	Up to three eligible designated premises	No equivalent NOVA Category B structure
Maximum Published Capacity	Up to 5,000 kW, subject to programme requirements	Up to 1,000 kW

Multi-Site Companies Need a Different Evaluation: A company previously considering NOVA Category B should not assume Solar ATAP can allocate export credits to its other branches.

8. How Are the Technical-Assessment Requirements Different?

Both programmes may require technical studies before approval, especially for larger systems. Solar ATAP introduces specific domestic Connection Confirmation Check thresholds and retains capacity-based studies for non-domestic projects.

Project Type	NEM 3.0	Solar ATAP
Domestic Single Phase	Capacity restricted by NEM Rakyat programme limit	CCC may be required above 5 kW
Domestic Three Phase	Capacity restricted to the NEM Rakyat limit	CCC may be required above 15 kW
Non-Domestic up to 72 kW	No NEMAS or CAS study generally listed	No CAS generally listed under the standard table
Non-Domestic above 72 kW	NEMAS or CAS depending on category	Connection Assessment Study generally required
High-Voltage Connection	Technical study subject to applicable programme requirements	Power System Study generally required

The Technical Study Can Reduce the Approved Capacity: Being below the published maximum does not guarantee that the full proposed system can be connected.

9. How Is the Application Process Different?

Confirm the Applicable Programme

New applicants should determine whether Solar ATAP is the correct current programme for their electricity account.

Appoint an RPVSP

A current Registered PV Service Provider assesses the site and prepares the proposed design.

Complete Technical Studies

The required CCC, CAS or PSS is completed before the relevant submission where applicable.

Submit through eATAP

The Solar ATAP application is submitted through SEDA Malaysia’s dedicated online platform.

Install and Commission

Installation, electrical testing and commissioning are completed by the relevant qualified parties.

Complete Contract and Meter Work

The required Solar ATAP contract, meter and TNB procedures are completed before billing begins.

NEM Certificates Are Not Used for New Solar ATAP Applications: Solar ATAP uses its own e-certificate, application process and contract documentation.

10. Are the Contract Periods Different?

Programme	Typical Operating Period	After the Contract Period
NEM Rakyat	Ten years from commencement	Subject to the applicable NEM contract and later requirements
NEM GoMEn	Ten years from commencement	Subject to the applicable NEM contract and later requirements
NOVA	Ten years from commencement	Subject to the applicable NOVA contract
Solar ATAP	Ten years from commencement	System continues strictly for self-consumption, with no Solar ATAP offset or roll-over for excess exports

The Ten-Year Duration Is Similar, but the Contract Is Not: Solar ATAP consumers sign a Solar ATAP contract and must follow its programme-specific post-contract treatment.

11. What Happens to Existing NEM 3.0 Consumers?

Existing NEM consumers do not automatically lose their approved NEM arrangement when the programme closes to new applications. Their rights, offset method, contract period and obligations continue according to the applicable NEM approval and contract.

Existing Contract Continues A valid NEM contract remains subject to its original programme terms unless formally changed.

No Automatic Migration An existing NEM consumer is not automatically transferred into Solar ATAP.

Conversion May Be Possible Solar ATAP guidelines allow an NEM consumer to terminate the current NEM contract and enter a Solar ATAP contract, subject to approval and requirements.

Remaining Period Applies Where conversion is accepted, the Solar ATAP contract period is based on the remaining period of the previous NEM contract rather than a new full ten-year period.

Conversion May Remove Valuable Existing Rights: Consumers should compare the old offset method, remaining contract period, future capacity needs and new Solar ATAP terms before terminating an NEM contract.

Solar ATAP vs NEM 3.0 Comparison Table

Comparison Item	NEM 3.0	Solar ATAP
New Application Period	Ended on 30 June 2025	Effective from 1 January 2026
Main Categories	NEM Rakyat, NEM GoMEn and NOVA	Domestic and non-domestic
Domestic Single Phase	Up to 5 kWac	Generally up to 5 kW
Domestic Three Phase	Up to 12.5 kWac	Generally up to 15 kW
General Non-Domestic Ratio	Varied by GoMEn and NOVA category	Up to 100% of Maximum Demand
General Non-Domestic Maximum	Up to 1 MW or 5 MW depending on category	Up to 1 MW
Domestic Export Offset	NEM Rakyat one-to-one offset	Solar ATAP-specific energy-offset rate
Commercial Export Offset	NOVA based on Average SMP	Solar ATAP-specific energy-offset rate
Virtual Aggregation	Available under NOVA Category B	No equivalent multi-premise arrangement
Contract Period	Generally ten years	Ten years
After Contract	Subject to applicable NEM contract	Strict self-consumption without ATAP export offset
Application Platform	NEM application systems and documentation	SEDA Malaysia eATAP system

Who May Be Better Suited to Solar ATAP?

New residential solar applicants in 2026
Single-phase homes seeking up to the standard domestic limit
Three-phase homes seeking a capacity of up to 15 kW
Businesses with strong daytime electricity demand
Factories with stable Maximum Demand records
Commercial buildings seeking on-site bill reduction
Warehouses with suitable roof space
Retail premises with high daytime cooling loads
Properties not registered under NEM or SelCo
Consumers prepared to use solar primarily for self-consumption
Projects within the 1 MW non-domestic limit
Consumers able to complete required technical assessments

Solar ATAP May Reward Better Load Matching: Because the export offset is not the same as the old NEM Rakyat one-to-one arrangement, direct daytime use can be more important to the project’s economics.

What Is the Difference Between Solar100 and a Solar Provider?

Solar100	Solar Provider or Installer
Explains general differences between ATAP and NEM 3.0	Checks the consumer’s current programme eligibility
Highlights capacity and export-treatment differences	Reviews TNB bills, Maximum Demand and technical conditions
Helps users compare participating solar providers	Designs and prices the proposed solar system
Does not issue programme approvals	Submits applications through the relevant official systems
Does not calculate official TNB billing	Prepares project-specific savings estimates and documentation
Does not guarantee eligibility or savings	Provides contractual installation and service responsibilities

What Should You Ask before Applying under Solar ATAP?

Am I applying as a domestic or non-domestic consumer?
Do I have an existing NEM or SelCo registration?
Would terminating my existing NEM contract reduce my benefits?
What Solar ATAP capacity can my account apply for?
What is my recorded Maximum Demand?
Is the proposed system below the 1 MW maximum?
Will a CCC, CAS or PSS be required?
What technical-study fee applies?
What Solar ATAP export rate is used in the savings calculation?
How much generation is expected to be self-consumed?
How much electricity is expected to be exported?
How are exported units shown on the electricity bill?
Can export offsets be carried forward?
What happens to excess electricity after the ten-year period?
Can credits be allocated to another branch or account?
Who submits the eATAP application?
Who coordinates the TNB meter and contract process?
What happens if the approved capacity is lower than proposed?
Which application and technical fees are included?
Which warranties and O&M services are included?

Request Two Separate Financial Scenarios: The proposal should show expected savings from direct self-consumption separately from the value of electricity exported under Solar ATAP.

What Information Should Be Prepared for an ATAP Comparison?

Recent TNB electricity bills
TNB account number
Registered account-holder details
Domestic or non-domestic tariff category
Single-phase or three-phase supply
Maximum Demand records, where applicable
Monthly consumption history
Daytime load profile
Operating hours
Weekend and public-holiday usage
Existing NEM certificate, if applicable
Existing NEM contract, if applicable
Existing SelCo documents, if applicable
Current solar-system capacity
Roof photographs
Roof dimensions
Main switchboard photographs
Future expansion plans

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Solar ATAP replace NEM 3.0?

Solar ATAP is the successor rooftop solar programme introduced after the NEM 3.0 quota application period ended.

Is Solar ATAP the same as NEM Rakyat?

No. Both support self-consumption and surplus export, but Solar ATAP has different capacity, contract and export-offset rules.

Does Solar ATAP provide a one-to-one offset?

Solar ATAP uses its own energy-offset rate. It should not automatically be treated as the same one-to-one mechanism used under NEM Rakyat.

Is the domestic capacity higher under Solar ATAP?

The standard three-phase domestic limit increased from 12.5 kWac under NEM Rakyat to 15 kW under Solar ATAP. The standard single-phase limit remains 5 kW.

Can Solar ATAP export credits be used at another branch?

Solar ATAP does not provide the same multi-premise virtual-aggregation structure that was available under NOVA Category B.

Can an existing NEM consumer change to Solar ATAP?

Conversion may be possible by terminating the existing NEM contract and entering a Solar ATAP contract, subject to approval. The remaining NEM contract period generally determines the Solar ATAP period.

The information on this page is provided for general educational and comparison purposes. It is not an official Solar ATAP or NEM approval, electricity-billing calculation, legal interpretation, technical study, financial guarantee or confirmation that a consumer should terminate or convert an existing NEM contract. Programme eligibility, capacity, energy-offset treatment, credit roll-over, technical assessments, contract rights and application procedures depend on the latest official guidelines, electricity-account category, existing programme registration, Maximum Demand, system design and site conditions. Solar100 is a discovery and comparison platform. It is not PETRA, the Energy Commission, SEDA Malaysia, TNB, a solar installer, electricity utility, regulator, engineering consultant or government authority. Existing NEM consumers should obtain written confirmation of the financial, contractual and billing consequences before terminating or changing their current arrangement.

Compare Solar ATAP with Your Existing or Proposed Solar Arrangement

Send your recent TNB bill, supply type, Maximum Demand, existing NEM or SelCo documents, proposed solar capacity and roof details to compare suitable Solar ATAP proposals from participating registered solar providers.

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