New Policy Mandates Solar PV Installation in Buildings; Ministry of Interior: Approx. 0.3% of Construction Cost, 12-Year Payback
Taiwan's Ministry of Interior announced a new policy, effective August 1st, mandating solar PV installation for new, expanded, or renovated buildings over 1,000 square meters. This aims to achieve the 'Taiwan 2050 Net-Zero Emissions Pathway,' adding 660,000 kW of capacity annually and reducing CO2 by 3.19 million tons by 2030. The cost is about 0.3% of construction, with a 12-year payback, and proceeds will fund management committees. The ministry is also collaborating on a 'Building Longevity Carbon Credit' mechanism.
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- 📰 Published: April 9, 2026 at 19:10
- 🔍 Collected: April 9, 2026 at 20:00 (50 min after Published)
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The Ministry of Interior today held a post-ministerial meeting press conference, where Deputy Minister of Interior Tung Chien-hung stated that to implement the "Taiwan 2050 Net-Zero Emissions Pathway," the Ministry of Interior continues to promote near-zero carbon building policies. This is achieved through diverse strategies such as building solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, enhancing building energy efficiency, disclosing energy efficiency information, and extending building lifespan for carbon credits, gradually establishing a development system that combines environmental sustainability and economic benefits.
Tung Chien-hung pointed out that regarding the promotion of building solar PV, the "Standards for the Installation of Solar Photovoltaic Power Generation Equipment in Buildings" has been jointly issued with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and will be implemented starting August 1st this year. For new, expanded, and renovated buildings with a building area of 1,000 square meters or more, it is stipulated that 1 kilowatt (kW) of solar PV capacity must be installed for every 20 square meters. It is estimated that this will add approximately 660,000 kW of installed capacity annually, and combined with incentive measures from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, it can contribute to a reduction of approximately 3.19 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2030, accounting for over 30% of the overall residential and commercial sector's carbon reduction target.
Concerns about construction costs were raised. Wang Jung-chin, Director of the Architecture and Building Research Institute of the Ministry of Interior, stated that according to calculations by the Energy Administration, the cost of installing 1 kW of solar PV is approximately NT$38,800. If a 1,000-square-meter building installs 50 kW, the cost would be less than NT$2 million. Compared to the construction cost of a 10-story building with a building area of 1,000 square meters, which is about NT$700 million to NT$900 million, the NT$2 million solar PV installation cost accounts for only about 0.3%. Furthermore, the cost is expected to be recovered within 12 years after installation, and subsequent revenues can be used by the management committee for operation and maintenance expenses.
Tung Chien-hung stated that the overall solar PV installation cost will not impose a significant burden on developers. "If developers claim to increase the price per ping (a unit of area) because of this, that calculation is illogical to us." Moreover, after installing solar PV, it will first provide electricity for public use, which can reduce residents' electricity bills.
Tung Chien-hung said that the income from selling green energy certificates will be returned to the building's management committee's public fund, and it will be required to be used exclusively for the maintenance of solar PV facilities. According to the Energy Administration's calculations, it can earn approximately NT$600,000 to NT$700,000 annually, while the maintenance cost for solar PV facilities is about NT$120,000, which is very cost-effective.
In addition, Tung Chien-hung pointed out that the ministry plans to cooperate with the Ministry of Environment to promote a "Building Longevity Carbon Credit" mechanism. Through energy efficiency improvements in existing buildings and the installation of solar PV, carbon credits can be obtained and used as a source of funding for operation and maintenance, increasing incentives for private sector participation, gradually establishing a system for monetizing building carbon assets, and promoting net-zero transition and green finance integration.
Tung Chien-hung stated that they will discuss with the Ministry of Environment the formula for calculating carbon credits for old building longevity. Once the formula is released, companies can be invited to purchase carbon credits from residents through ESG methods. This will not only reduce the costs that residents need to bear for old building longevity but also help Taiwanese industries obtain carbon credits or green energy certificates to meet international standards.
Wang Jung-chin added that on March 26th, he visited Minister of Environment Peng Chi-ming. The Architecture and Building Research Institute will propose the "Methodology for Building Longevity Carbon Credits," which will be reviewed by the Climate Change Administration of the Ministry of Environment, hoping to assist the public in applying for relevant carbon credits as soon as possible. (Editor: Lin Hsing-meng) 1150409
Tung Chien-hung pointed out that regarding the promotion of building solar PV, the "Standards for the Installation of Solar Photovoltaic Power Generation Equipment in Buildings" has been jointly issued with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and will be implemented starting August 1st this year. For new, expanded, and renovated buildings with a building area of 1,000 square meters or more, it is stipulated that 1 kilowatt (kW) of solar PV capacity must be installed for every 20 square meters. It is estimated that this will add approximately 660,000 kW of installed capacity annually, and combined with incentive measures from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, it can contribute to a reduction of approximately 3.19 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2030, accounting for over 30% of the overall residential and commercial sector's carbon reduction target.
Concerns about construction costs were raised. Wang Jung-chin, Director of the Architecture and Building Research Institute of the Ministry of Interior, stated that according to calculations by the Energy Administration, the cost of installing 1 kW of solar PV is approximately NT$38,800. If a 1,000-square-meter building installs 50 kW, the cost would be less than NT$2 million. Compared to the construction cost of a 10-story building with a building area of 1,000 square meters, which is about NT$700 million to NT$900 million, the NT$2 million solar PV installation cost accounts for only about 0.3%. Furthermore, the cost is expected to be recovered within 12 years after installation, and subsequent revenues can be used by the management committee for operation and maintenance expenses.
Tung Chien-hung stated that the overall solar PV installation cost will not impose a significant burden on developers. "If developers claim to increase the price per ping (a unit of area) because of this, that calculation is illogical to us." Moreover, after installing solar PV, it will first provide electricity for public use, which can reduce residents' electricity bills.
Tung Chien-hung said that the income from selling green energy certificates will be returned to the building's management committee's public fund, and it will be required to be used exclusively for the maintenance of solar PV facilities. According to the Energy Administration's calculations, it can earn approximately NT$600,000 to NT$700,000 annually, while the maintenance cost for solar PV facilities is about NT$120,000, which is very cost-effective.
In addition, Tung Chien-hung pointed out that the ministry plans to cooperate with the Ministry of Environment to promote a "Building Longevity Carbon Credit" mechanism. Through energy efficiency improvements in existing buildings and the installation of solar PV, carbon credits can be obtained and used as a source of funding for operation and maintenance, increasing incentives for private sector participation, gradually establishing a system for monetizing building carbon assets, and promoting net-zero transition and green finance integration.
Tung Chien-hung stated that they will discuss with the Ministry of Environment the formula for calculating carbon credits for old building longevity. Once the formula is released, companies can be invited to purchase carbon credits from residents through ESG methods. This will not only reduce the costs that residents need to bear for old building longevity but also help Taiwanese industries obtain carbon credits or green energy certificates to meet international standards.
Wang Jung-chin added that on March 26th, he visited Minister of Environment Peng Chi-ming. The Architecture and Building Research Institute will propose the "Methodology for Building Longevity Carbon Credits," which will be reviewed by the Climate Change Administration of the Ministry of Environment, hoping to assist the public in applying for relevant carbon credits as soon as possible. (Editor: Lin Hsing-meng) 1150409