Asia-Pacific Solar Compliance Guide 2026: Country-by-Country Grid Rules & Incentives

Asia-Pacific accounts for approximately 60% of global solar installed capacity — a share that keeps growing as China, India, Australia, and emerging markets accelerate deployment. Yet there is no unified APAC solar standard. Each country operates its own licensing regime, export compensation scheme, and grid connection rules, and several markets changed those rules significantly in 2025 and early 2026.

This guide covers the complete solar compliance landscape across ten APAC markets: Australia, India, Malaysia, and Singapore (each with dedicated SurgePV guide hubs) plus Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Bangladesh. For each market, the guide explains who the regulator is, what the current export scheme looks like, and what installers and C&I buyers must do to connect a system legally.

Regional Overview: APAC Solar Markets at a Glance

Good solar design software accounts for these differences at the project level. Export limits, shading losses, and grid constraints all vary by country — and by utility within a country.

Australia: CEC, AS/NZS Standards, and DNSP Grid Rules

Australia has 45.1 GW of cumulative installed solar capacity, the highest rooftop solar penetration per capita in the world. The compliance framework is federal in structure but distributed in practice.

Key compliance layers:

• CEC accreditation: Required for all systems claiming STCs under the federal small-scale scheme. From February 2024, CEC updated the accreditation pathway (Solar Accreditation Australia). Systems must use modules meeting IEC 61215:2021 from April 2025.
• AS/NZS 5033:2021: Mandatory PV array installation standard covering DC wiring, earthing, labelling, and commissioning.
• AS 4777.2:2020: Inverter grid connection standard — volt-watt, volt-VAR, frequency ride-through settings.
• STC scheme: Federal incentive for systems under 100 kW. STCs based on system size, solar zone, and deeming period (scheme ends 2030). Registered with the Clean Energy Regulator.
• DNSP export limits: Each state DNSP sets its own export limit policy — typically 5–10 kW per phase. SA Power Networks and AusNet have the most restrictive export environments.
• Feed-in tariffs: State-level, retailer-administered. Range from 3 to 12 cents/kWh depending on state and retailer.

Solar proposal software that includes Australian STC zone calculations and DNSP-specific export limit data reduces design errors before submission.

Australia has 22 dedicated SurgePV compliance guides covering CEC accreditation, each major DNSP, state-level regulations, and the LGC vs STC comparison.

India: MNRE, PM Surya Ghar, and DISCOM Net Metering

India has 132 GW of cumulative solar capacity, second globally. The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (launched February 2024) added 7.1 GW of rooftop capacity in 2025 alone, with 25 lakh (2.5 million) households registered.

Key compliance layers:

• MNRE policy: Sets national subsidy framework (PM Surya Ghar), ALMM list requirements, and rooftop solar targets.
• PM Surya Ghar subsidy: Up to ₹78,000 central financial assistance for a 3 kW residential system (₹30,000/kW for first 2 kW, ₹18,000/kW for the third kW). No central subsidy above 3 kW for residential.
• ALMM compliance: Modules and inverters used in subsidised projects must appear on MNRE’s Approved List of Models and Manufacturers. Non-ALMM components disqualify the project from central financial assistance.
• BIS certification: Bureau of Indian Standards certification required for solar modules and inverters sold in India.
• State SERC net metering orders: Each state’s electricity regulatory commission sets net metering rules. Export rates are typically the Average Power Purchase Cost (APPC) — approximately ₹3–5 per unit — not the retail tariff.
• DISCOM grid connection: Submitted before installation. Required documents include load sanction letter, site plan, single-line diagram, and ALMM compliance declaration.
• CEA Technical Standards: Central Electricity Authority standards govern grid interconnection for solar systems across all states.

India’s compliance complexity comes from the combination of 28 states, each with its own SERC order, DISCOM, and state-level subsidy top-up on top of the central MNRE framework.

India has 24 dedicated SurgePV compliance guides covering MNRE/PM Surya Ghar, 10 state-specific guides, ALMM, DISCOM interconnection, and more.

Malaysia: Solar ATAP Replaces NEM 3.0

Malaysia’s net energy metering scheme (NEM 3.0) closed to new applications in June 2025 after reaching its allocated quota. SEDA launched Solar ATAP (Advances in Technology and Adoption Programme) in January 2026 as the successor scheme, targeting C&I rooftop installations.

Key compliance layers:

• Solar ATAP (from January 2026): SEDA-administered scheme replacing NEM 3.0. C&I rooftop focus. Application through the SEDA portal with SEDA-registered contractor required.
• TNB grid connection: Tenaga Nasional Berhad governs Peninsular Malaysia connections. Single-line diagram stamped by a Professional Engineer required. TNB targets 3-month approval; residential typically 6–10 weeks.
• GITA/GITE tax incentives: GITA provides 100% Investment Tax Allowance on qualifying capex for 3 years; GITE provides 70% income tax exemption for 10 years. Both administered by MIDA.
• LSS tenders: Large-Scale Solar tenders for systems above 1 MW selling power commercially. Separate process from SEDA/TNB retail connection rules.
• Sarawak (SEB): Sarawak Energy Berhad runs a separate grid under different rules from Peninsular Malaysia. The NEM equivalent for Sarawak has its own quota and application process through SEB.

Malaysia has 8 dedicated SurgePV compliance guides covering NEM 3.0 history, Solar ATAP, TNB, SEB Sarawak, GITA/GITE, and C&I pathway comparison.

Singapore: EMA Licensing, ECIS, and JTC Mandatory Solar

Singapore reached 1,932 MWp cumulative capacity in Q3 2025 — exceeding the national 2 GWp target set for 2025. The Singapore Green Plan 2030 extends the ambition to 3 GWp. Despite its small land area, Singapore has one of the most precisely defined solar compliance frameworks in APAC.

Key compliance layers:

• EMA Generation Licence: Required for systems at or above 1 MWac. Systems below 1 MWac notify SP Services and register under SCT or ECIS without a full licence. Systems at or above 1 MWac must also register as Market Participants with the Energy Market Company (EMC).
• ECIS (Embedded Consumer Interconnection Scheme): Market-based export scheme paying the Uniform Singapore Energy Price (USEP) — typically 10–20 cents/kWh. Capped at 10 MWac per installation.
• SCT (Standard Contestable Tariff): Fixed-rate buyback at approximately S$0.20/kWh, administered by SP Services. Simpler billing than ECIS.
• JTC mandatory solar: JTC Corporation requires solar deployment on industrial buildings with a contiguous rooftop of at least 800 sqm and at least 15 years remaining on the lease. Non-compliance constitutes a lease breach.
• Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW): All grid-connected solar work in Singapore must involve a LEW registered with EMA. The LEW submits the electrical installation application and provides commissioning sign-off.
• BCA structural permitting: Required when roof strengthening, mounting platforms over 2.5 m, or panel arrays acting as roof shelters exceeding 10 sqm are involved.

Singapore has 4 dedicated SurgePV compliance guides covering EMA licensing, ECIS vs SCT comparison, JTC solar requirements, and the LEW engagement process.

Japan: FIT/FIP Transition and FY2026 Tariff Rates

Japan has 94 GW of cumulative solar capacity, ranking third globally. METI sets annual FIT and FIP rates; the FIP (Feed-in Premium) market is replacing FIT for larger systems as Japan transitions to merchant-style renewables.

FY2026 FIT rates (METI):

FY2027 outlook: METI’s FY2027 budget proposal excludes large ground-mount systems from FIT entirely, requiring these projects to participate in the FIP market instead. Developers with large pipeline projects should confirm financing assumptions against both scenarios.

Key compliance requirements:

• OCCTO grid registration: Organisation for Cross-regional Coordination of Transmission Operators manages grid access for larger generators.
• JIS C 8955: Japanese standard for structural loads on solar panel mounting systems — engineers must verify wind and snow load compliance.
• Anti-islanding protection: Mandatory per METI technical requirements for all grid-connected systems.
• FIT application: Submitted through the METI J-Credit/FIT portal before installation. Approval required before energisation.

Japan’s residential FIT has declined steadily from 42 JPY/kWh in 2012 to 24 JPY/kWh in FY2026. Self-consumption with battery storage is increasingly the economic optimum for residential systems.

South Korea: RPS Quota and SMP/REC Revenue Model

South Korea’s solar sector operates under the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which mandates that large electricity generators procure a specified share of their supply from renewables.

RPS quotas:

Solar generators earn two revenue streams: the System Marginal Price (SMP) for electricity delivered to the grid, plus Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) sold to obligated generators to meet their RPS quota. The combined SMP + REC revenue determines project economics.

I-RECs introduced April 2025: South Korea joined the I-REC (International Renewable Energy Certificate) framework in April 2025, allowing multinational corporations with Korean operations to meet global renewable energy procurement goals using Korean solar generation.

Key compliance requirements:

• KEPCO grid interconnection: Korea Electric Power Corporation governs grid connection. Applications submitted with equipment specifications and single-line diagrams.
• MOTIE project registration: Large systems must register with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy before beginning construction.
• REC multiplier system: RPS regulations assign REC multipliers to different solar technologies and locations. Rooftop solar, agrivoltaic installations, and floating solar each have different multipliers that affect revenue calculations.

Accurate generation and financial modeling is essential for South Korean projects — the SMP + REC revenue stack changes each year based on auction results and quota levels.

Philippines: ERC Net Metering Amendments (September 2025)

The Philippine Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) issued significant amendments to net metering rules in September 2025, making the program more commercially attractive for C&I customers.

September 2025 ERC amendments:

• Perpetual credit rollover: Excess generation credits no longer expire at year-end. They roll over indefinitely until consumed or the customer terminates the metering agreement.
• 100 kW cap: The net metering cap was raised from 100 kW to accommodate the DOE’s expanded program scope. Systems up to 100 kW qualify for net metering.
• Multi-site net metering: C&I customers with multiple meters or connection points can now aggregate generation from a single solar facility across multiple accounts.
• DOE 10-day approval mandate (from April 2026): The Department of Energy mandated that distribution utilities must approve or reject net metering applications within 10 business days from April 2026. Applications not acted upon within this period are deemed approved.

Key compliance requirements:

• PEC (Philippine Electrical Code): All electrical work must comply with the PEC, which governs wiring methods, protection devices, and grounding.
• Distribution utility agreement: Net metering agreement signed with the local distribution utility (e.g., Meralco for Metro Manila) before commissioning.
• ERC notification: The distribution utility notifies ERC upon completion of net metering installations.

Thailand: SPP/VSPP Framework and Community Solar

Thailand’s electricity sector uses a tiered generator classification system for solar:

Current FiT: THB 2.25/kWh for qualifying solar systems under the government’s support scheme. Rates are set by EPPO and approved by the National Energy Policy Committee (NEPC).

Community Solar (October 2025): The NEPC approved a Community Solar programme in October 2025, allowing cooperative or community ownership of solar installations. Projects must obtain NEPC approval and meet minimum community ownership thresholds.

Key compliance requirements:

• EPPO registration: All SPP and IPP projects require registration with the Energy Policy and Planning Office.
• PEA/MEA grid connection: Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) for rural/suburban areas; Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) for Bangkok. Each has its own technical connection requirements.
• Factory licence: Industrial solar installations above certain scales may require a Factory Act licence under the Department of Industrial Works.

Vietnam: Decree 57/2025 and the DPPA Mechanism

Vietnam’s solar sector has been through multiple policy transitions. Decree 57/2025 is the current governing framework for C&I and utility-scale solar, introducing the Direct Power Purchase Agreement (DPPA) mechanism.

Decree 57/2025 key provisions:

• DPPA mechanism: C&I consumers can now buy electricity directly from renewable generators under a bilateral power purchase agreement, bypassing EVN’s retail tariff for contracted volumes.
• 20% export cap: Solar generators selling under DPPA can export a maximum of 20% of total system generation to the EVN grid. Generation above the 20% threshold must be self-consumed or contracted directly.
• PDP8 (Power Development Plan 8) targets: Vietnam’s revised PDP8 sets a solar target of 46–73 GW by 2030, up from approximately 20 GW currently installed.

Key compliance requirements:

• MOIT project approval: Large solar projects require Ministry of Industry and Trade approval and inclusion in the provincial or national electricity development plan.
• EVN grid connection: Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) governs all grid interconnection. Technical requirements include protection settings, metering arrangements, and earthing standards compliant with Vietnamese electrical regulations.
• Environmental impact assessment (EIA): Ground-mount solar projects above 1 MW typically require an EIA approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE).

Good solar software that models the 20% EVN export constraint alongside self-consumption loads is important for sizing DPPA projects correctly in Vietnam.

Bangladesh: NMG 2025 and Expanded Net Metering

Bangladesh has approximately 3,693 active grid-tied solar systems and a growing C&I sector supported by the Net Metering Guidelines (NMG) 2025, which expanded allowable system sizes.

NMG 2025 key changes:

• 100% sanctioned load allowed: Previous guidelines limited solar system size to 70% of the customer’s sanctioned (contracted) load. NMG 2025 raised this limit to 100%, allowing larger systems for the same connection.
• 90% export credit: Exported electricity is credited at 90% of the applicable energy tariff — not 1:1, but a significant improvement over previous arrangements.
• Application process: Applications submitted to the relevant distribution company (BPDB, DESCO, DPDC, or WZPDCL depending on location). SREDA oversees the overall programme.

Key compliance requirements:

• SREDA registration: Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority administers the net metering programme and maintains the approved installer registry.
• Distribution company approval: The local distribution company must approve the grid connection and install the bi-directional meter.
• BERC compliance: Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission standards govern technical requirements for grid-connected systems.

Country Comparison: 10 APAC Markets

Installer Licensing Across APAC

Installer licensing requirements vary enormously across the region — from mandatory national accreditation in Australia and Singapore to no formal licensing requirement in Japan and Thailand.

Mandatory accreditation markets:

• Australia — CEC accreditation is a practical requirement for any system seeking STCs. Without CEC accreditation, the customer cannot claim the STC discount, making the installer uncompetitive. Many DNSPs also require CEC-accredited installers for their grid connection approvals.
• Singapore — All grid-connected electrical work must involve a Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW) registered with EMA. The LEW submits the electrical installation application and signs off on commissioning. Non-compliance is an offence under the Electricity Act.

Preferred but not legally mandated:

• India — MNRE-listed installers are required for PM Surya Ghar subsidy projects. Outside subsidised projects, any licensed electrical contractor can install solar, but customers typically prefer MNRE-listed vendors for quality assurance.
• Malaysia — SEDA-registered contractors are required for Solar ATAP scheme applications. TNB also maintains a list of registered solar contractors.

No national solar-specific licence:

• Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Philippines — These markets do not have a separate national solar installer accreditation. Electrical licensing under general electrical trade regulations applies. In some markets (e.g., Philippines), a Licensed Electrical Engineer must sign off on the installation design.

The practical implication: when entering a new APAC market, the first compliance question is not “what panels can I use?” but “who is legally permitted to do the electrical work, and do they need solar-specific registration?”

Export Rate Trends Across APAC

Export compensation rates across APAC are declining or transitioning to market-based mechanisms as grid penetration increases.

Australia — Residential feed-in tariffs have fallen from 44–60 cents/kWh a decade ago to 3–12 cents/kWh today, depending on state and retailer. The economics have shifted from export-optimised to self-consumption-optimised systems, driving battery storage uptake.

Japan — The residential FIT has declined from 42 JPY/kWh (2012) to 24 JPY/kWh (FY2026). Large ground-mount systems face FIT exclusion from FY2027, forcing the sector toward the Feed-in Premium (FIP) market mechanism.

Singapore — Export compensation has never been at retail rates. ECIS pays wholesale USEP (10–20 cents/kWh); SCT pays approximately S$0.20/kWh fixed. The schemes are designed to value solar’s grid contribution without creating subsidy dependency.

Malaysia — NEM 3.0 offered a 1:1 offset (one exported kWh cancels one imported kWh on the bill). Solar ATAP’s compensation structure differs and targets C&I customers with higher self-consumption ratios.

India — Export rates are the Average Power Purchase Cost (APPC), set by state SERCs. This is always below the retail tariff. States like Rajasthan pay approximately ₹3.14/kWh; premium states like Maharashtra pay closer to ₹5/kWh. The direction is toward time-of-day export tariffs in several states.

Philippines — The September 2025 ERC amendments (perpetual credit rollover) made net metering more attractive by eliminating the annual credit expiry. This significantly improves the economics for systems with seasonal generation patterns.

Vietnam — Decree 57/2025 introduced the DPPA mechanism, allowing C&I buyers to lock in a contracted solar price directly with generators. This provides revenue certainty for developers and price certainty for offtakers, without relying on EVN’s grid tariff for the primary revenue stream.

The direction across APAC is consistent: grid parity and self-consumption are becoming the primary economic drivers, replacing subsidy-driven export revenues. Designing systems to maximise self-consumption — and using shadow analysis to accurately model shading losses that reduce self-consumption — is increasingly the design discipline that determines project returns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Asia-Pacific country has the most complex solar compliance framework?

Australia requires CEC-accredited installers, state-specific DNSP approvals, and STCs through the Clean Energy Regulator. The combination of federal STC rules, state feed-in tariffs, and individual DNSP requirements means compliance varies by state and grid operator. India is second in complexity with central MNRE rules, state SERC regulations, and DISCOM interconnection rules varying across 28 states.

What happened to Malaysia’s NEM 3.0 solar scheme?

NEM 3.0 closed to new applications in June 2025. It was replaced by Solar ATAP (Advances in Technology and Adoption Programme), launched by SEDA in January 2026. Solar ATAP focuses on C&I rooftop installations and streamlines the application process through the SEDA portal.

What is South Korea’s RPS solar requirement?

South Korea’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requires large electricity generators to source an increasing share from renewables: 20.5% in 2025, rising to 25% in 2026. Solar projects earn Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), which are sold in addition to System Marginal Price (SMP) electricity payments.

Does Vietnam’s Decree 57/2025 allow direct solar PPAs?

Yes. Decree 57/2025 introduced a Direct Power Purchase Agreement (DPPA) mechanism allowing C&I consumers to buy directly from renewable generators. Solar exports to EVN are capped at 20% of system generation. PDP8 targets 46–73 GW of solar by 2030.

What are Japan’s solar FIT rates for FY2026?

Japan’s FY2026 FIT rates (set by METI): residential (≤10 kW) 24 JPY/kWh; commercial/industrial 19 JPY/kWh; large ground-mount (>1 MW) 9.6 JPY/kWh. The FY2027 budget proposes excluding large ground-mount from FIT entirely, pushing these projects to the FIP market.