Vietnam Off-Grid Solar Container 100kWh

Is Vietnam ready for a competitive bidding mechanism for solar energy?

Vietnam is now developing a competitive bidding mechanism for solar energy to improve grid efficiency, promote competition, and ensure a stable energy supply, but it’s currently in the works and hasn’t been implemented yet. As such, Vietnam has been in a transition phase since the end of the FiT policy.

How do private solar power plants work in Vietnam?

Previously, owners of private solar power plants, whether rooftop or large-scale, could only sell electricity to the grid through conventional power purchase agreements (PPAs), with no option for direct sales to consumers. In Vietnam, there are two types of DPPAs: private-wire DPPAs and on-grid DPPAs.

Why is Vietnam a leader in solar energy development?

The introduction of the FiT was a significant catalyst, driving a rapid increase in solar capacity and establishing Vietnam as a leader in Southeast Asia’s renewable energy landscape. Although the FiT mechanism has since expired, new opportunities have emerged to sustain and expand solar energy development in the country.

How does fit affect solar energy development in Vietnam?

FiT mechanisms set a fixed price for solar energy, overlooking regional variations in solar potential. This resulted in underdevelopment of solar PV in northern Vietnam, where solar radiation is low, while leading to overdevelopment in the south-central and southern regions, where solar radiation is high.