An International Comparison of Regulatory and Licensing for Solar Rooftop Household Electricity: A Case Study of Thailand, India, and Indonesia

Abstract

Solar energy is one of the most abundant and ecologically benign renewable energy sources. Each country has different solar rooftop prospects and challenges, but the lessons learnt from one nation can help the others. To enable this transition, the energy regulatory system, including the licensing and permitting procedure and the subsidy mechanism, must be improved. In this study, the licensing process for solar rooftop residential electricity is examined in Thailand, India, and Indonesia, three distinct country contexts. The result showed that every case study had financial challenges due to high capital costs and protracted payback times. The government can provide financial assistance to lessen this obstacle. Countries that continue to employ bill-metering, such as Thailand, must switch to net-metering so that their residents can obtain energy justice and rights pertaining to power generation. In order to lessen the burden of obtaining later approval for the same, it should be recommended that residential structures and other commercial buildings come with a permit for solar installation as a part and parcel of the building construction.