Solar100 Malaysia Solar ATAP Billing Guide

Can Excess Solar Electricity Be Exported Under Solar ATAP?

Last updated: July 2026

Yes. An eligible Solar ATAP consumer may export solar electricity that is generated during the month but not immediately consumed at the premises. The exported electricity is measured through the approved metering arrangement and may be used to offset part of the electricity imported from the electricity utility within the same billing period, subject to the Maximum Allowable Quantity and the programme’s pricing rules.

Quick Answer Solar ATAP allows excess solar electricity to be exported to the grid. However, the export is not an unlimited cash sale. Only eligible exported energy, up to the applicable Maximum Allowable Quantity, can be credited. The credit must be used within the same billing period and cannot be carried forward. Domestic exports are valued using the applicable Energy Charge, while non-domestic exports are valued using the Average System Marginal Price. If the calculated bill becomes negative, it is adjusted to zero and no cash payment is made.

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Can Solar ATAP Consumers Export Excess Electricity?

Yes. Under Solar ATAP, solar electricity that is produced during a month but not consumed by the consumer may be exported through the electricity supply system to the electricity utility.

This means a Solar ATAP system does not always need to reduce its output whenever solar generation temporarily exceeds the building’s immediate electricity demand. Eligible surplus generation may flow through the approved point of interconnection and be recorded as exported energy.

Solar Is Used on Site First

Electricity generated by the solar system first supports electrical loads operating at the premises.

Surplus May Flow to the Grid

When generation exceeds immediate demand, eligible surplus electricity may be exported through the approved connection.

The Export Is Measured

A bi-directional meter records electricity imported from the grid and electricity exported by the Solar ATAP installation.

The Export Creates a Bill Credit

Eligible export value may offset part of the electricity imported during the same billing period.

Export Is Permitted, but It Is Not Unlimited: The amount eligible for settlement is subject to the Maximum Allowable Quantity, electricity consumed from the grid and other Solar ATAP billing requirements.

How Does Excess Solar Electricity Reach the Grid?

Panels Generate DC Electricity

Rooftop solar panels produce electricity during daylight hours.

The Inverter Produces AC Electricity

The inverter converts solar electricity into a form suitable for the premises and approved grid connection.

Active Loads Use Solar

Air conditioning, machinery, appliances and other operating equipment consume available solar electricity first.

Surplus Passes through the Meter

Solar generation that exceeds immediate demand flows through the approved bi-directional meter toward the grid.

Exported Energy Is Recorded

The utility’s meter records the quantity of eligible export energy in kilowatt-hours.

The Same-Period Offset Is Applied

Eligible export value is applied against imported electricity within the same billing period.

Solar ATAP Export Is Different from Selling All Solar Generation: The programme prioritises self-consumption. It is not the same as a feed-in arrangement under which all solar electricity is sold to the utility.

Does Solar ATAP Prioritise Self-Consumption or Export?

Solar ATAP is designed around self-consumption. The building uses available solar electricity first, and only the surplus that remains after serving immediate loads is exported.

Direct Self-Consumption Solar electricity used immediately can reduce the quantity of electricity purchased from the grid.

Surplus Export Electricity not immediately required by the premises may be exported, subject to programme and technical limits.

Domestic Export Value Exported domestic energy is valued using the applicable Energy Charge.

Non-Domestic Export Value Exported non-domestic energy is valued using the applicable Average SMP.

High Self-Consumption Can Still Be Financially Important: Exported energy may have a different value from electricity used directly at the premises, especially for non-domestic consumers.

What Is the Maximum Allowable Quantity?

The Maximum Allowable Quantity, commonly shortened to MAQ, is the maximum quantity of exported energy that can be recognised for the Solar ATAP offset within the applicable billing treatment.

The creditable export amount is limited by the lower applicable quantity, including the consumer’s electricity imported from the utility and the MAQ. Exported electricity beyond the permitted settlement quantity is not paid as cash and may be forfeited.

Export Situation	General Solar ATAP Treatment
Export is below the MAQ and imported electricity	Eligible export value may be used for the same-period electricity offset
Export exceeds the MAQ	The quantity exceeding the applicable MAQ is not eligible for additional settlement
Export exceeds electricity imported during the billing period	The excess beyond the permitted offset quantity may be forfeited
The calculated net bill becomes negative	The bill is adjusted to zero and no cash payment is made

Exporting More Does Not Always Create More Financial Value: An oversized solar system may export electricity that cannot be fully used for settlement within the same billing period.

How Is Exported Electricity Valued for Domestic Consumers?

For domestic Solar ATAP consumers, the unit price of eligible exported electricity is based on the applicable Energy Charge under the consumer’s electricity tariff.

Measured in Kilowatt-Hours

The bi-directional meter records the amount of electricity exported during the billing period.

Energy Charge Applies

Eligible domestic export is valued using the applicable Energy Charge, rather than a separate cash-purchase rate.

Same Billing Period

The credit is applied against relevant imported electricity within the same billing period.

No Cash Surplus

A negative net bill is adjusted to zero instead of being paid to the consumer in cash.

Energy Charge Is Not the Entire Electricity Bill: Other tariff components, taxes, levies, adjustments and charges may be treated separately.

How Is Exported Electricity Valued for Non-Domestic Consumers?

For non-domestic Solar ATAP consumers, eligible exported electricity is valued using the Average System Marginal Price, commonly called the Average SMP.

The Average SMP can change from month to month. The Single Buyer publishes the preceding month’s Average SMP, which is then used according to the applicable Solar ATAP billing treatment.

Variable Export Value The Average SMP is not necessarily the same every month.

Not Equal to the Retail Tariff The value of exported electricity may differ from the rate paid for electricity imported from the grid.

Self-Consumption May Be More Valuable Using solar directly can avoid retail electricity purchases rather than creating an export credit based on Average SMP.

Monthly Modelling Is Important Commercial proposals should not assume a fixed export value across the entire project period.

Separate Self-Consumption from Export in the Financial Model: A credible commercial proposal should show how much solar is expected to be used on site and how much is expected to be exported at Average SMP.

How Is the Solar ATAP Net Energy Charge Calculated?

The official Solar ATAP framework calculates the net energy charge by comparing the value of electricity imported from the supply system with the value of eligible electricity exported to the supply system.

General Solar ATAP Billing Formula

Net Energy Charge = Imported Energy Value − Eligible Export Energy Value

Billing Component	General Calculation Basis
Imported Electricity	Imported kilowatt-hours multiplied by the prevailing gazetted Energy rate
Domestic Exported Electricity	Eligible exported kilowatt-hours multiplied by the applicable Energy Charge
Non-Domestic Exported Electricity	Eligible exported kilowatt-hours multiplied by the applicable Average SMP
Negative Net Amount	Adjusted to zero without a cash transaction

This Is Not a Complete TNB Bill Calculator: The final bill can also include applicable taxes, levies, fuel adjustments, incentives, rebates, demand charges and other tariff components.

Can Unused Solar ATAP Export Credits Be Carried Forward?

No. Eligible exported energy must be used for the offset within the same billing period. Exported energy that remains unutilised after the same-period offset is not carried forward to later billing periods.

Credit Situation	Solar ATAP Treatment
Credit used within the same billing period	Applied against eligible imported electricity
Credit remains after the billing-period calculation	Not carried forward
Export exceeds the eligible settlement quantity	Excess may be forfeited
Consumer expects to use the credit next month	Not permitted under the standard same-period treatment

Load Matching Is Important: A system that regularly produces much more electricity than the premises can use or offset during the same billing period may lose part of the potential export value.

Can Solar ATAP Consumers Receive Cash for Excess Exports?

Solar ATAP does not provide a cash payout when the value of eligible exports exceeds the amount that can be offset. If the calculated net bill becomes negative, it is adjusted to zero.

Bill Offset

The export mechanism is designed to reduce eligible electricity charges within the billing period.

No Negative Bill Payment

A negative calculated amount does not become money payable to the consumer.

No Automatic Bank Credit

Excess Solar ATAP export value is not automatically transferred to a consumer’s bank account.

No Unlimited Solar Sale

The programme is not intended as an unrestricted electricity-selling arrangement.

A Solar ATAP Proposal Should Not Promise Cash Income: The programme provides an electricity-bill offset subject to its rules, not a guaranteed monthly cash payment.

Which Meters Are Required to Measure Solar ATAP Exports?

Bi-Directional Meter Measures electricity imported from the utility and electricity exported by the Solar ATAP system.

PV Meter Measures electricity produced by the solar PV installation.

Utility Responsibility The electricity utility supplies and installs the approved bi-directional meter.

Consumer Responsibility The Solar ATAP consumer procures, installs and maintains the PV meter.

Meter readings form the basis for recording imported electricity, total solar generation and exported electricity. The approved readings are used for the relevant commercial settlement and electricity-bill calculation.

Meter Costs Should Be Clarified in the Proposal: The consumer may be responsible for costs associated with meter procurement, installation, testing, commissioning, replacement or future modifications.

Which Charges Cannot Be Fully Offset by Solar ATAP Exports?

The value of eligible exported electricity does not necessarily offset every component appearing on the electricity bill.

Automatic Fuel Adjustment
Charges outside the eligible Energy Charge calculation
Export beyond the Maximum Allowable Quantity
Export beyond electricity eligible for same-period offset
Unused export after the billing-period settlement
Charges excluded by the applicable tariff schedule
Meter installation charges
Technical-study fees
Solar-system financing payments
Solar maintenance costs
Demand charges where separately applicable
Other tariff components treated separately

A Low Net Energy Charge Does Not Always Mean a Zero Final Bill: Other tariff, tax, levy, demand, meter or adjustment components may still remain payable.

Can the Utility Refuse or Interrupt Solar Exports?

The electricity utility may not be obligated to accept export energy in certain circumstances, including safety concerns, emergency conditions, maintenance, network constraints or exports that do not comply with applicable technical requirements.

Export exceeds the eligible settlement quantity
Public-safety risk
Private-safety risk
Emergency grid condition
Non-compliant export quality
Utility-system maintenance
Bi-directional meter maintenance
Distribution-network constraint
Protection-system fault
Unsafe solar installation
Failure to comply with technical guidelines
Disconnection permitted under electricity law

Grid Export Remains Subject to Network Safety: Solar ATAP approval does not remove the utility’s responsibility to protect electricity-system reliability and public safety.

Should a Solar ATAP System Be Designed Mainly for Export?

Usually, the system should be designed around the consumer’s electricity usage, roof conditions, permitted capacity and expected self-consumption, rather than simply maximising export.

Design Approach	Potential Outcome
System matched to daytime demand	Higher direct self-consumption and lower dependence on export value
System significantly larger than daytime demand	Higher export volume and greater risk of unused or forfeited export value
Commercial system modelled using a fixed high export value	Savings may be overstated because Average SMP can vary
System evaluated using monthly load data	More realistic estimate of self-consumption, export and bill offsets

Maximum Permitted Capacity Is Not Automatically the Best Size: The financially suitable capacity may be lower than the technical or programme maximum.

What Happens to Solar Exports after the Ten-Year Contract?

The Solar ATAP operating period is no more than ten years from the commencement date. After the period ends, the solar installation may continue operating strictly for self-consumption under the applicable self-consumption requirements.

Solar Panels May Continue Operating The physical solar system does not necessarily stop working when the Solar ATAP contract ends.

ATAP Export Offset Ends Excess exported electricity no longer receives the Solar ATAP offset after the contract expires.

System Becomes Self-Consumption The installation is treated according to the applicable self-consumption framework.

Long-Term Load Matching Matters The system’s post-contract value depends mainly on electricity used directly at the premises.

Financial Projections Should Include Years after Solar ATAP: A twenty- or twenty-five-year solar forecast should not assume the export offset continues beyond the ten-year contract.

Solar ATAP Export Rules at a Glance

Question	Solar ATAP Treatment
Can excess solar electricity be exported?	Yes, subject to programme and technical requirements
Is all exported electricity automatically credited?	No, settlement is subject to the MAQ and billing limits
How are domestic exports valued?	Using the applicable Energy Charge
How are non-domestic exports valued?	Using the applicable Average SMP
Can unused credit be carried forward?	No
Can the consumer receive cash?	No; a negative net amount is adjusted to zero
Can export value offset the AFA?	No
Which meter measures import and export?	An approved bi-directional meter
How long does the export-offset arrangement last?	Up to ten years from commencement
What happens after the contract?	The system operates strictly for self-consumption

What Is the Difference between Solar100 and a Solar Provider?

Solar100	Solar Provider or Installer
Explains the general Solar ATAP export mechanism	Assesses the consumer’s electricity usage and export potential
Highlights same-period and MAQ limitations	Designs the solar system around technical and billing rules
Explains domestic and non-domestic valuation differences	Prepares project-specific generation and savings estimates
Helps users compare participating providers	Submits the relevant Solar ATAP application
Does not issue official export approval	Coordinates technical assessment, metering and commissioning
Does not guarantee export credits or savings	Provides contractual installation and service responsibilities

What Should You Ask about Solar ATAP Exports?

How much of my solar generation will be used directly?
How much electricity is expected to be exported each month?
What Maximum Allowable Quantity applies to my account?
Could part of my exported energy be forfeited?
Which Energy Charge applies to my domestic account?
Which Average SMP assumption is used for my business proposal?
Does the forecast allow Average SMP to change?
Can unused export credit be carried forward?
Which bill charges cannot be offset?
Can the export value offset the Automatic Fuel Adjustment?
What happens if the net energy charge becomes negative?
Will I receive any cash payment for excess exports?
Which meter records imported and exported electricity?
Who pays for the bi-directional meter?
Who supplies and maintains the PV meter?
When does the Solar ATAP contract commence?
What happens to exports after ten years?
Can the utility temporarily interrupt exports?
Is the proposed system oversized for my daytime load?
Are self-consumption and export savings shown separately?

Request a Monthly Energy-Flow Estimate: The proposal should separately show expected solar generation, self-consumption, grid imports, grid exports, eligible export value and potentially forfeited surplus.

What Information Should Be Prepared for an Export Assessment?

Recent TNB electricity bills
TNB account number
Domestic or non-domestic tariff category
Single-phase or three-phase supply
Maximum Demand records, where applicable
Monthly electricity consumption
Daytime load profile
Weekend electricity consumption
Public-holiday electricity consumption
Operating hours
Existing solar-system information
Proposed solar capacity
Estimated monthly solar generation
Roof photographs
Roof dimensions
Main switchboard photographs
Existing meter photographs
Future load-expansion plans

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Solar ATAP export excess solar electricity?

Yes. Eligible solar electricity that is not consumed at the premises may be exported to the electricity grid.

Can all exported electricity be credited?

No. The eligible quantity is limited by the Maximum Allowable Quantity, imported electricity and the programme’s settlement rules.

How are domestic Solar ATAP exports valued?

Eligible domestic exports are valued using the applicable Energy Charge under the consumer’s tariff.

How are business exports valued?

Eligible non-domestic exports are valued using the applicable Average System Marginal Price.

Can unused Solar ATAP credits be carried forward?

No. Unused export value is not carried forward to a later billing period and may be forfeited.

Will TNB pay cash for excess Solar ATAP exports?

No. If the calculated net bill is negative, it is adjusted to zero and no cash transaction occurs.

The information on this page is provided for general educational and comparison purposes. It is not an official electricity-bill calculation, Solar ATAP approval, export guarantee, meter approval, technical study, tariff advice, legal interpretation or financial guarantee. Export eligibility, Maximum Allowable Quantity, Energy Charge, Average System Marginal Price, meter requirements, settlement, forfeiture and bill treatment depend on the latest official guidelines, tariff schedule, electricity-account category, meter readings, system design and site conditions. Solar100 is a discovery and comparison platform. It is not PETRA, the Energy Commission, SEDA Malaysia, TNB, the Single Buyer, an electricity utility, solar installer, engineering consultant, regulator or government authority. Consumers should obtain a site-specific energy-flow analysis, official programme confirmation and written proposal from a qualified Registered PV Service Provider before proceeding.

Estimate Your Solar ATAP Self-Consumption and Export Potential

Send your recent TNB bills, tariff category, supply type, daytime usage, Maximum Demand information and proposed solar capacity to compare expected self-consumption, grid exports and Solar ATAP bill offsets from participating registered solar providers.

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