What you need to know
Solar Rakyat Sabah allows eligible domestic customers to use rooftop solar and receive bill credit for qualifying surplus exported to the grid. The published caps are up to 5 kWac for single-phase homes and 10 kWac for three-phase homes. Participants sign a 12-year agreement, and the 20 MW programme quota remains first-come, first-served until 30 June 2028 or full subscription.
Key takeaways
- Qualifying exports are credited at the prevailing gazetted domestic energy rate.
- Unused credits can roll for up to 12 months but cannot be converted into cash.
- Applications must be submitted through EEISy by an ECoS-registered ECCPV-GC contractor.
- Battery storage is allowed for self-consumption, but stored energy cannot be exported for programme credit.
01
How does Solar Rakyat Sabah calculate the bill?
ECoS describes net billing as imported energy multiplied by the prevailing rate, minus exported energy multiplied by the prevailing rate. This is why the programme is often described as providing 1-for-1 credit at the gazetted domestic energy rate.
Unused energy credit may carry forward for up to 12 months within the settlement period. Any balance left at the end expires and is not paid in cash, so the design should avoid assuming that every exported unit will always create usable value.
02
Who can apply and what are the capacity limits?
The programme is open to eligible domestic-category consumers occupying private residential premises. New customers and existing customers who have not participated in previous named solar programmes may apply, subject to the published rules.
- Single-phase domestic supply: up to 5 kWac.
- Three-phase domestic supply: up to 10 kWac.
- Panels must be on the rooftop or porch within the premises; ground-mounted systems are not permitted.
- A complete application is expected to receive an outcome within 14 working days.
03
What is the application journey?
The homeowner appoints an ECoS-registered Electrical Contractor Class PV (Grid Connected). The contractor submits through EEISy. After approval, the customer receives Solar Rakyat Approval to Install and must begin within the stated period.
The system can operate only after testing, commissioning, document completion and Solar Rakyat Approval to Operate. A bidirectional smart meter and a separate PV meter are part of the metering requirements, with the applicable costs borne by the customer.
04
Where does a battery fit?
Solar Rakyat permits battery energy storage when it is configured strictly for self-consumption. Stored energy is not allowed to be exported to the grid. The battery should therefore be evaluated for increased self-use and backup resilience—not as a way to manufacture export credit.
Backup also requires more than a battery box. The inverter, isolation, protection, essential-load circuit, firmware and commissioning must be designed as one compatible system.
Straight answers
Frequently asked questions
What is the Solar Rakyat Sabah quota?+
The programme has a total 20 MW quota offered on a first-come, first-served basis until 30 June 2028 or full subscription, whichever is earlier.
Can export credit be paid as cash?+
No. It can offset the registered electricity bill and may roll forward within the 12-month settlement period, but it cannot be redeemed for cash.
How large can a Sabah home solar system be?+
Up to 5 kWac for single phase and 10 kWac for three phase, subject to the programme and technical approval.
Can a battery export electricity for credit?+
No. ECoS states that stored energy must be configured for self-consumption and cannot be exported to the grid.
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.
