Vietnam Solar Regulations — What You Need to Know
Decree 135/2024/ND-CP governs rooftop solar in Vietnam. We've summarised what it means for your home or business installation — and how SolarTNP handles compliance for you.
<100kW
simplified notification only
20%
max surplus to EVN
0
paperwork you handle yourself
01 — The Core Rule
The Core Rule: Self-Consumption First
Under Decree 135/2024/ND-CP, rooftop solar systems in Vietnam must be installed primarily for on-site, self-consumption. Your system capacity must generally match your existing electricity load at the time of registration. This is a feature, not a limitation — it means the system is sized correctly for your actual needs, not oversold.
The intent
Solar is for your roof, not for the grid.
Decree 135 was designed to prevent oversized export farms. Your system must match your actual electricity consumption — which is exactly how a properly engineered system should be sized anyway.
In practice
SolarTNP sizes to your load, not to a template.
Every SolarTNP system begins with an energy audit of your actual consumption. This isn't compliance theatre — it's the right way to design a solar system.
— The surplus rule
You own the sun. EVN gets 20%. Maximum.
The surplus cap is real — and it changes the financial logic. Self-consumption savings are the story now, not export revenue.
02 — Selling Surplus Back to EVN (the 20% Cap)
You are permitted to export excess electricity to Vietnam Electricity (EVN), but this is strictly capped at 20% of your installed capacity. Surplus power sold to EVN is compensated at the preceding year's average electricity market price — not the older, higher feed-in tariffs. The honest implication: the financial case for solar is now built primarily on self-consumption savings, not surplus export revenue.
Hard cap
20%
Maximum surplus exported to EVN: 20% of installed capacity
Compensated at the preceding year's average electricity market price — not the old high feed-in tariff.
03 — Off-Grid Exception
Go fully off-grid. No limits.
If your system is completely disconnected from the national grid, there are no capacity limits. This applies to remote properties or businesses choosing full energy independence with battery storage.
Ask about full off-grid systems
Remote properties, backup power, or full energy independence — SolarTNP designs battery-backed off-grid systems with no capacity ceiling.
The compliance reality
The rules are strict. The paperwork is ours.
Decree 135 requires DOIT notification, EVN grid inspection, and building compliance checks before your system can connect. This is not a formality — it's a real multi-agency process.
SolarTNP manages every step end-to-end. You sign the installation contract. We handle the bureaucracy. We've done it before — including rural province EVN offices.
04 — Capacity Thresholds & Licensing
Three tiers. One clear path.
Every installation in Vietnam falls into one of these three categories. For residential and most commercial — that's under 100 kW — the process is straightforward.
Capacity Thresholds — Decree 135/2024/ND-CP
Under 100 kW
Our marketWho
Households, small businesses
Process
Simplified notification to provincial DOIT — no investment approval needed
100 kW – 1,000 kW
Who
Mid-sized commercial / industrial
Process
Standard permitting with local authorities
Over 1,000 kW (1 MW+)
Who
Large commercial / industrial selling to grid
Process
Development registration certificate + Power Operation License required
05 — Building Compliance Requirements
The rooftop system must be installed on buildings that fully comply with construction law, land-use rights, fire safety standards, and environmental regulations. SolarTNP verifies building compliance during the pre-installation site assessment — we will not proceed on a building with unresolved compliance issues.
What we check during site assessment
- Construction law compliance
- Land-use rights status
- Fire safety standards
- Environmental regulations
- Structural roof load capacity
06 — How SolarTNP Handles This
End-to-end. No gaps.
No leading solar installer in Vietnam, no subcontractors, no part-managed paperwork. SolarTNP owns every step from site visit to grid connection.
System sized to your load
DOIT notification prepared
EVN grid connection approval
20% surplus cap documented
No install on non-compliant buildings
Sources
Decree 135/2024/ND-CP (official) · SP Global Energy Transition coverage (Oct 2024) · WFW guidance article · Vietnam Business Law blog (Jan 2025, Mar 2025) · Vietnam Law Magazine · Baker McKenzie InsightPlus
Last verified: 17 June 2026
This page summarises our understanding of Decree 135/2024/ND-CP as of the date below. Solar regulations in Vietnam evolve. This is not legal advice — consult a licensed energy or construction lawyer for binding guidance.
Ready?
We handle the compliance. You enjoy the savings.
Every SolarTNP install includes DOIT notification, EVN connection, and full building compliance check — at no extra cost.