Malaysia Solar Rebate 2026: Solar ATAP & SuRIA Home

Plenty of homeowners have been asking whether there's still government support for installing rooftop solar panels after the Net Energy Metering (NEM) scheme stopped accepting new applications in mid-2025. The answer is yes - and the programme that replaced it, Solar ATAP, comes with a direct cash rebate that can meaningfully cut your installation cost.

This article breaks down the latest solar promotions and incentives in Malaysia right now: what Solar ATAP is, how much the SuRIA Home rebate is worth, incentives available to businesses, and the actual steps to apply.

Quick Answer: What's the Latest Solar Promotion in Malaysia?

The most relevant solar promotion right now is the Solar ATAP scheme (Accelerated Transition Action Programme), in effect since 1 January 2026, paired with the SuRIA Home rebate of up to RM3,000 for residential homes (RM600 for every 1kWac installed). For businesses, the Green Investment Tax Allowance (GITA) and GTFS financing support are still available through MIDA. Older schemes like SolaRIS (RM4,000 rebate) and NEM are already closed to new applications.

Why Was NEM Replaced by Solar ATAP?

The Net Energy Metering (NEM) programme, the backbone of Malaysia's rooftop solar policy since 2019, officially closed to new applications on 30 June 2025. Existing NEM contracts continue until they expire, but there's no new intake under NEM anymore.

According to SEDA Malaysia, Solar ATAP was introduced as a continuation of NEM with several improvements designed to be more attractive than the existing Self-Consumption (SelCo) programme. Key changes include a higher installation capacity limit - up to 100% of a consumer's maximum demand or 1MW (higher than the previous NEM cap) - while surplus generated energy can still be exported to the grid at an energy offset rate.

A Quick Recap: What Happened to SolaRIS and NEM Rakyat?

Before Solar ATAP, the government offered the Solar Incentive Scheme for Rakyat (SolaRIS) - a cash rebate of up to RM4,000 (RM1,000 per kWac) for NEM Rakyat customers who applied and were approved from 1 April 2024 onwards. The SolaRIS quota was fully allocated by April 2025, and the scheme is no longer open to new applications.

Before it closed completely in mid-2025, the NEM Rakyat category quota was also increased by 150MW to 600MW, allowing more domestic users to benefit from rooftop solar installations before the full transition to Solar ATAP. If you tried to apply for NEM Rakyat or SolaRIS but missed the quota, Solar ATAP is now the active replacement pathway.

What Exactly Is the Solar ATAP Scheme?

Solar ATAP allows consumers to install rooftop solar PV systems for self-consumption, while unused surplus energy is exported to the TNB grid as a monthly energy offset. Unlike NEM, which had a fixed national quota, Solar ATAP has no official quota cap - although the government reserves the right to limit applications if uncontrolled solar integration threatens national grid stability.

Some key facts about the scheme:

Residential capacity limit: up to 5kW for single-phase connections, and up to 15kW for three-phase connections
Non-residential capacity limit: up to 100% of maximum demand, capped at 1,000kW (1MW)
Contract tenure: 10 years. After that, the system operates on a self-consumption-only basis with no export offset
Eligibility: registered TNB consumers (residential or non-residential) who aren't currently under the SelCo or NEM programmes, and aren't co-generation or back-feed operators

A technician checking a solar energy monitoring app on a tablet with rooftop solar panels in the background — Solar monitoring systems let homeowners track daily energy generation after installing under Solar ATAP.

SuRIA Home Rebate: The Main Incentive for Homeowners

This is the part everyone's been waiting for. SuRIA Home is a government cash rebate specifically for residential consumers who install a solar system under Solar ATAP.

How much is the rebate?
The rebate starts at RM600 per 1kWac of installed capacity, up to a maximum of RM3,000 (equivalent to 5kWac). According to TNB's official announcement, the initiative was introduced by the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) to help households cut electricity costs, with roughly RM150 million allocated to the programme.

Who's eligible?

Malaysian citizens who own their home or hold a valid residential electricity account
Domestic-category electricity users (low voltage domestic user)
An active electricity utility account under the applicant's or homeowner's name
Installation carried out by a registered provider under the Solar ATAP scheme
Installation must be fully completed and verified by the utility before the rebate can be claimed

Worth noting: consumers who have previously received any government solar assistance or incentive (for example, an earlier SolaRIS rebate) are not eligible for SuRIA Home.

When does it open and how long does it last?
Rebate claim notifications began on 1 June 2026, on a first-come, first-served basis, and installation applications are open until 31 December 2026 or until the programme's 250MW quota is fully taken up, whichever comes first. Industry estimates suggest the programme could benefit around 45,000 to 50,000 homes nationwide. If you're serious about going solar this year, it pays to move early before the quota runs out.

How to Apply for Solar ATAP and Claim the SuRIA Home Rebate

The process differs slightly from the old NEM scheme, since installation needs to be completed before the official application:

Contact TNB for a technical assessment - mandatory, based on the capacity of the system you're planning to install.
Appoint a Registered PV Service Provider (RPVSP) - a registered solar contractor who will assist with installation and document submission.
Complete installation and commissioning - the solar system must be installed and verified as functional before the application is submitted.
Submit your application through TNB's online platform, and formally register under Solar ATAP via SEDA Malaysia's eATAP portal (atap.seda.gov.my).
Wait for the rebate notification - if eligible, you'll receive an email through your registered account with details on how to claim the SuRIA Home rebate, including providing your bank account details for the cash transfer.

Throughout this process, make sure the contractor you choose is genuinely registered as an RPVSP - this matters not just for technical approval, but also for your eligibility to claim the SuRIA Home rebate later.

Solar Incentives for Businesses: GITA and GTFS

Beyond residential incentives, Malaysian companies and business owners can also tap into existing green incentives through the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA):

Green Investment Tax Allowance (GITA) - a tax deduction on capital expenditure (capex) for green technology assets, including solar PV systems. According to recent industry reports, the allowance rate offered is 60% of qualifying costs, offset against a portion of the company's statutory income.
Green Technology Financing Scheme (GTFS) - a government-backed loan guarantee scheme for green technology projects, including solar, aimed at easing upfront financing costs.

Both incentives are subject to eligibility criteria and application windows set by MIDA - business owners are encouraged to check directly with MIDA or a tax consultant to confirm current eligibility before making any investment decision.

Solar ATAP vs NEM: What's the Difference?

Aspect	NEM (closed June 2025)	Solar ATAP (from Jan 2026)
New application status	Closed	Open
National quota	Fixed quota cap	No official cap (subject to grid stability)
Residential capacity limit	Lower	Up to 5kW (single-phase) / 15kW (three-phase)
Contract tenure	Varies by category	10 years, then self-consumption only
Related cash rebate	SolaRIS (ended)	SuRIA Home (RM600/kWac, up to RM3,000)

In short, Solar ATAP isn't a completely new scheme built from scratch - it's an extension of NEM with a more flexible structure, paired with a new financial incentive to encourage participation.

Estimated Cost and Payback Period

A common question is how long it takes to recoup the cost of installing solar. In general, the local solar industry estimates a payback period of around 4 to 7 years for residential systems in Malaysia, depending on system size, the household's daily electricity usage pattern, and how much surplus energy can be exported for bill offset.

With the SuRIA Home rebate of up to RM3,000, homeowners' upfront costs can be reduced significantly compared to installing without any government incentive. That said, actual payback period and monthly savings figures can only be confirmed through a detailed quotation from an RPVSP based on your household's specific electricity usage profile - generic estimates found online won't necessarily match every home's situation.

Things to Consider Before Installing Solar

First-come, first-served - the SuRIA Home rebate quota (250MW) and the 31 December 2026 closing date mean acting late risks missing out on the rebate, even though solar systems can still be installed under Solar ATAP afterwards.
Choose a registered contractor - make sure the RPVSP you appoint is genuinely verified by SEDA, not just any general solar installation company.
Check your incentive history - if you've previously received government solar assistance, you may not be eligible for SuRIA Home.
Actual costs vary by capacity - estimated bill savings and payback period vary based on system size, household electricity usage pattern, and current tariffs. Get detailed quotations from several RPVSPs before deciding.
Not stock investment advice - this article explains energy incentives for consumers and businesses, not a recommendation to buy shares in any specific solar company.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I still apply for NEM now?
No. New NEM applications closed on 30 June 2025. Existing NEM contracts continue until they expire, but new users need to apply under Solar ATAP instead.

How long does it take from installation to receiving the SuRIA Home rebate?
The actual timeline depends on TNB's technical approval and commissioning verification. Once the system is verified, rebate notifications are sent via registered email starting 1 June 2026 on a first-come, first-served basis.

Can I get the SuRIA Home rebate if I already received a SolaRIS rebate before?
No. Consumers who have previously received government solar assistance or incentives are not eligible for the SuRIA Home rebate.

Is Solar ATAP open to businesses, not just residential homes?
Yes. Solar ATAP is open to both domestic and non-domestic consumers, with different capacity limits - up to 100% of maximum demand or 1MW for the non-domestic category.

What happens after the 10-year Solar ATAP contract ends?
Your solar system will operate on a self-consumption-only basis - surplus energy can no longer be exported for electricity bill offset.

Do I need to appoint a specific contractor to apply for Solar ATAP?
Yes, you need to appoint a Registered PV Service Provider (RPVSP) registered with SEDA to assist with the application and installation process.

Can the SuRIA Home rebate and GITA incentive be used together?
GITA is targeted at companies and businesses, while SuRIA Home is for residential consumers - so they don't overlap for a typical household. Business owners are encouraged to check directly with MIDA for combined incentive eligibility.

How long is the typical payback period for a residential solar system in Malaysia?
Industry estimates generally put payback period at 4 to 7 years, depending on system size and household electricity usage pattern. Actual figures should be confirmed through a quotation from an RPVSP.

Conclusion

After NEM closed in mid-2025, Solar ATAP is now the official pathway for rooftop solar installation in Malaysia - and for the first time, it comes with a direct cash rebate (SuRIA Home) of up to RM3,000 for residential homes, alongside existing tax incentives for businesses through MIDA. The key takeaway is to act early, since this rebate runs on a first-come, first-served basis with a quota cap and closing date.

Understanding energy incentives like these also helps you see the bigger picture of Malaysia's economy, from renewable energy policy through to how it affects listed companies and your investment portfolio.

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Malaysia Solar Incentives 2026: Solar ATAP, SuRIA Home Rebate & How to Apply