What you need to know
Solar ATAP is Peninsular Malaysia’s current rooftop-solar programme for eligible TNB customers. A home uses its solar electricity first, while qualifying surplus can be exported to the grid for an energy offset. Published domestic limits are up to 5 kW for single-phase supply and 15 kW for three-phase supply, subject to the programme and technical approval.
Key takeaways
- Solar ATAP began on 1 January 2026 as the successor to the previous NEM programme.
- The applicant must be a registered TNB consumer and appoint a SEDA Registered PV Service Provider for submission.
- Solar should be sized around daytime use, roof yield and export value—not only the maximum permitted capacity.
- Final eligibility, capacity and bill treatment depend on the current rules and TNB assessment.
01
How does Solar ATAP work for a home?
Solar panels generate electricity during daylight. The home consumes that electricity behind the meter before buying the balance from TNB. When the system produces more than the home is using, eligible surplus can flow through the approved metering arrangement to the grid.
This creates two sources of value: electricity used directly in the home and the programme offset for qualifying exports. They should not be treated as identical. A responsible proposal separates the two so the homeowner can see where the modelled savings come from.
- Generate: rooftop modules convert daylight into DC electricity.
- Convert: the inverter produces usable AC electricity for the home.
- Consume: appliances use available solar before importing from TNB.
- Export: eligible surplus is measured and offset under Solar ATAP rules.
02
Who is eligible and how large can the system be?
SEDA states that an applicant must be a registered TNB consumer and must not already be registered under SelCo or the previous NEM programmes. Applications are submitted through the eATAP system by an appointed SEDA Registered PV Service Provider.
For domestic consumers, the published capacity limits are up to 5 kW for single-phase supply and up to 15 kW for three-phase supply. These are programme ceilings, not automatic recommendations. Roof space, shading, structural conditions, household demand and the connection assessment still matter.
03
Why the maximum system is not always the best investment
The best-performing financial design is usually the system that matches the home’s useful demand. An oversized array may export a larger share of its generation, while a better-matched array can replace more high-value grid purchases directly.
Ask for a model that shows annual generation, estimated self-consumption, expected exports, tariff assumptions, degradation and simple payback. If those inputs are hidden, the headline return is difficult to test.
04
A practical Solar ATAP application journey
Start with the latest TNB bill, property address and roof information. The provider can then check the supply phase, likely usable roof area and an initial economic size before completing the required technical and programme workflow.
- Review the bill, tariff, phase and daytime consumption.
- Assess roof area, direction, shade and installation constraints.
- Compare system sizes using transparent savings assumptions.
- Submit through the prescribed Solar ATAP workflow.
- Install only to the approved design, then test, commission and activate monitoring.
Straight answers
Frequently asked questions
Is Solar ATAP the same as NEM 3.0?+
No. Solar ATAP is the successor programme introduced for implementation from 1 January 2026. It retains home-first solar consumption and permits eligible surplus export, but homeowners should rely on the current Solar ATAP rules rather than older NEM summaries.
What is the maximum home solar size under Solar ATAP?+
SEDA publishes up to 5 kW for single-phase domestic supply and up to 15 kW for three-phase domestic supply, subject to programme conditions and technical approval.
Can I submit the application myself?+
SEDA states that the Solar ATAP applicant must appoint a Registered PV Service Provider to submit the application through eATAP.
Does a battery increase Solar ATAP export credit?+
A battery is primarily a self-consumption and resilience tool. Its economic value should be assessed separately, and operation must comply with the approved design and current programme rules.
Official and primary sources
Policy and product information can change. These were reviewed on 19 July 2026; confirm current eligibility and specifications before making a purchase decision.
