The government recently issued its guidance notes for the installation of rooftop solar panels on village houses. Subject to the fulfilment of specified conditions, photovoltaic (PV) systems including the supporting structure not greater than 2.5 metres in height may be installed on the rooftops of village houses so residents may continue to use their roofs for legal purposes while combating climate change. The government has also considered making appropriate relaxations for rooftops of other private buildings, in particular low-rise ones.
Previously a lengthy planning application was required. At the same time both CLP and HKE, the two power companies, have or will introduce their respective Feed-in-Tariff (TiF) Schemes in October this year and January next year and have been receiving applications for the schemes.
To take advantage of this new policy the first solar power shop in Sai Kung will open on 27 October, with an official ceremony at 11:00 am with Stephen Lam, CLP Power attending. Based near the Temple at 30 Yee Kuk Street, Energy Impex’s new shop front information centre is run by Anand Srivastava. He is supported by a number of locally trained engineers. They can survey your site, plan and install the solar energy system, all in one package.
Anand says that the latest plans by the Hong Kong government are amongst the most generous in the region, especially when it comes to paying you for the electricity you produce and supply back to CLP.
For example CLP will pay you $5 per kWh for any excess electricity you don’t use. What you do use during daytime hours is essentially “free” if it’s produced by your solar system. The CLP graphic below illustrates the economics for a 3kW system. A typical 700 sq ft village house roof could generate around 10kW at a cost of around $300,000. This could give up to $4,000 a month in payments from CLP, giving a payback period of 7 – 10 years.
A typical solar energy installation of 3kW according to CLP figures:
Call Anand on 6764 5427 or go to their Facebook page for more general advice, Guidance Notes have been uploaded to the website of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) (re.emsd.gov.hk/english/fit/useful_links/files/PVGuidanceNotes.pdf) for reference by the public. For more information on the installation of solar PV panels, please visit the Hong Kong Renewable Energy Net (HK RE Net) (re.emsd.gov.hk) or call the EMSD’s hotline (6395 2930) during office hours.
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