New Solar Panel Mandate to Start in August; Ministry Says Impact on Construction Costs 'Minimal'

(CNA, Taipei, June 9) A policy mandating rooftop solar installations on large new buildings will be implemented starting August 1. The Ministry of the Interior said today that based on estimates, a new building with a construction area of 1,000 square meters would need to install a 50kW system, costing less than NT$2 million. The installation cost can be recouped in about 12 years, making the impact on project costs negligible.

The new 'Standard for the Installation of Solar Photovoltaic Power Generation Equipment in Buildings' will take effect on August 1. It stipulates that newly constructed or extended buildings with a construction area of 1,000 square meters (approx. 300 ping) or more, or renovated buildings where the roof area modification reaches 1,000 square meters or more, must install solar photovoltaic equipment. Four categories of buildings are excluded: those for religious and funeral purposes, those for hazardous materials, those deemed unsuitable for installation, and those with insufficient sunlight conditions.

In response to a report in today's United Daily News titled 'Inadequate supporting measures for mandatory rooftop solar installations,' the Ministry of the Interior's National Land Management Agency responded via a press release. It stated that to implement the national '2050 Net-Zero Carbon Emissions and Green Growth' goal, it has been working with the Ministry of Economic Affairs to progressively promote the rooftop solar policy, and corresponding measures are already in place for the three major aspects of 'structural safety,' 'fire risk,' and 'equipment maintenance.'

The agency stated that in terms of structural safety, photovoltaic facilities must meet standards set by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, including modules passing a 5,400 Pascal pressure test, having the ability to withstand Level 17 strong winds, and passing dynamic wind pressure tests to ensure structural stability. Considering the impact of earthquakes and typhoons, it has been clearly specified that the circuit design must have an 'independent operation' function, so that the building itself retains independent power supply capabilities when the external grid is interrupted due to a disaster.

The agency also said that the National Fire Agency has established 'Guiding Principles for Fire Departments on Rescuing in Solar Photovoltaic Power Generation Equipment Fires,' which have been incorporated into the 'Firefighter Rescue Safety Manual.' This clearly informs front-line personnel of rescue strategies to ensure safety during rescue operations.

The agency pointed out that the Legislative Yuan amended the 'Renewable Energy Development Act' in 2023, requiring the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior to mandate the installation of solar photovoltaic equipment on the roofs of new, extended, or renovated buildings of a certain scale. The Ministry of the Interior then, as authorized, established the 'Standard for the Installation of Solar Photovoltaic Power Generation Equipment in New Buildings' and consulted with relevant groups and agencies such as the architects' association, the photovoltaic association, the real estate development industry, and the Industrial Technology Research Institute.

Regarding public concern over installation costs, the agency stated that according to estimates by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Architecture and Building Research Institute, the installation cost of solar photovoltaics is about NT$38,000 per kilowatt. For a new building with a construction area of 1,000 square meters, a 50kW system should be installed, costing less than NT$2 million. As a statutory facility, developers should include it in their plans when applying for a building permit. The installation cost can be recouped in just about 12 years, making the impact on project costs negligible.

The agency noted that the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Economic Affairs will continue to conduct rolling reviews and propose improvement measures regarding building and fire safety regulations, the solar photovoltaic industry chain management, national equipment standards, and national energy policy.