Vietnamese people still hesitant to embrace solar power: association

Household electricity in Vietnam remains partially subsidized by the government, and low electricity consumption means the benefits of solar power are unclear to many, according to Nguyen Xuan Quy, vice president of the Vietnam Clean Energy Association (VCEA).

"Electricity prices are low and partially supported by the government, making it difficult for people to see the advantages of solar power," Quy stated at a scientific conference on inverter technologies for rooftop solar power in Ho Chi Minh City last Sunday.

Despite Vietnam’s significant potential for solar energy, along with favorable natural conditions and clear policies, solar adoption has been limited. "People are still hesitant and not bold enough to explore solar power," he noted.

Quy expressed hope for a more vibrant solar power market, where households with solar systems can sell excess electricity to the grid and buy power when needed. "This benefits both the country and families," he said.

"We work with them to demonstrate the benefits of investing in solar power. For businesses that invest, we provide support in securing capital, design, and construction. The payback period is relatively short, about five years. After that, they own the system outright, with no additional costs, and can benefit from it long-term,” said Quy.

According to the Vietnam Clean Energy Association, the current status of household solar power installation in Vietnam has many shortcomings that pose potential risks of unsafety and fire and explosion, affecting investment efficiency and causing economic losses to people.

Inverters are important devices in solar power systems, with the function of converting direct current from solar panels into alternating current for household use. Using inverters of unknown origin and without explosion-proof functions can cause electrical short circuits and explosions, especially in harsh weather conditions, according to the association.

Poor-quality electrical wires that do not meet technical standards can be overloaded, causing melting, electrical short circuits, and even fires.

Solar power installation requires high technical and professional skills. Choosing an unreliable and inexperienced contractor can lead to inefficient system operation, unsafety, low lifespan, and even failure to be connected to the national grid.

Energy storage batteries (ESS) are an important component in the solar power system, helping to store excess electricity for use when needed. However, poor-quality ESS batteries of unknown origin pose a very high risk of fire and explosion due to unsafe internal components.

According to the association, installing household solar power without ensuring quality can cause fire and explosion, causing damage to people and property; the system operates inefficiently and does not meet the demand for electricity.

Quy added that to ensure safety and efficiency when installing household solar power, people need to choose equipment with clear origin, good quality, certified safety, and selection.

They also need to choose reputable construction units with experience and a team of well-trained technicians. People should ask the construction unit to provide complete design documents, product quality certificates, and system warranties.