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Rooftop solar expands the scope for more efficient energy use: Enterprises are ready to invest in energy efficiency
Thứ ba, 25/08/2026 - 10:29
Recently, the Vietnam Law Newspaper published a series of articles on how enterprises are using rooftop solar power to expand the scope for more efficient energy use. The reporter continued the discussion with an interview with Mr. Jørgen Søndergård Hvid, Long-Term Advisor (LTA) to the Vietnam-Denmark Energy Partnership Programme, to provide further analysis of this direction for enterprises.
Mr. Jørgen Søndergård Hvid in an interview with Vietnam Law Newspaper. (Photo: Reporter)
The effectiveness of rooftop solar is easy to see and measure
As the LTA of DEPP3, how do you evaluate the energy efficiency of Vietnamese enterprises?
- When the DEPP3 program started reaching out to the enterprises, I noticed that many of them showed great determination and ambition in energy efficiency. This shows a significant shift in both their awareness and action trends. 
Enterprises also realize that there is something they can do about energy efficiency, but they do not know where to start. Therefore, when a partner comes and offers high-quality technical assistance, they would be interested and ready to work with. This cooperation will bring real values to them. These are concrete proofs showing that enterprises have changed their awareness as well as attitude regarding energy efficiency. 
By that time, many enterprises had already installed rooftop solar PV systems, and some others have it in the pipeline and will certainly implement it, not just keeping it on paper. This can also be clear evidence showing that enterprises have changed their awareness and are ready to take action on energy efficiency. 
Can this be understood that rooftop solar is mentioned as an EE solution?
- Rooftop solar is indeed a common solution when it comes to energy efficiency in Vietnamese industrial enterprises. The reason, I think, is that the effectiveness of rooftop solar is easily noticeable and measurable. Actually, compared to many other solutions, the rooftop solar solution is much simpler. It means the enterprises install the system on their roofs and then use it daily. And they will be able to see how much electricity this system generates each day, and how much electricity cost the enterprise will save.
There is still significant potential to improve energy efficiency
How do you assess the contribution of rooftop solar in helping enterprises use energy more efficiently?

Mr. Jørgen Søndergård Hvid during a visit to a company participating in DEPP3.

- Regarding solar power, this is a very interesting case. In fact, many of the enterprises that we work with have already installed rooftop solar PV systems; some of them did it right after our cooperation, while some others still have it in the pipeline to do. 
Solar power is clearly becoming very popular. The main reason for this lies in the "plug and play" nature of this technology. This is an intuitive solution, where you can easily go and visit others having had it to clearly see how well it works. It is like buying a car, you know for sure what you get. 
This solution also brings marketing benefits. The enterprise's branding is elevated through impressive photos of the rooftop solar system on their promotional posters. 
This solution can be applied almost everywhere in industrial facilities, because every factory has a roof and there will always be some sunshine. Although the solar irradiance in the South is somewhat higher, even in the North, this model is still attractive enough for enterprises. 
Currently, regulation is being positively improved. Regulations used to be a barrier that caused enterprises to lose the chance to sell excess electricity in the middle of the day. This is a time when consumption demand drops due to many facilities having a lunch break, while solar power production peaks but cannot be used. That bottleneck is changing now. 
I believe we will soon see a boom of rooftop solar installations in industrial parks and even other areas. This is a solution that we choose to mention in our reports.
Another interesting thing is that the payback period for solar energy systems is quite long compared to what is normally considered acceptable by industrial enterprises – usually around five years. But this does not keep enterprises away from investing. This reality indicates that they are willing to invest in EE as long as there is solid evidence that the benefits justify the costs.
Can rooftop solar be evaluated as a link in EE?
- Strictly speaking, rooftop solar doesn't directly improve energy efficiency at the enterprise. However, it helps reduce energy consumption taken from the grid and limits the negative environmental impacts from power production. But we notice that enterprises consider both - energy efficiency and renewable energy - as one package, because their target is to reduce energy costs and become more sustainable. 
From a broader view, both approaches help us reduce the use of fossil fuels and improve competitiveness. That is also the overall target in my work, as well as the Government's orientation on energy efficiency.
Could this be a solution that many enterprises will choose?
- I think the boom of rooftop solar will happen everywhere. This is a very popular solution and investors know exactly the benefits they will get. 
In my view, this trend is a positive sign. However, I would like to specifically emphasize: enterprises absolutely should not fall into the complacency trap thinking "we put up a solar panel and now it’s done". There is still a lot more room to improve energy efficiency. The economic benefits brought by subsequent actions will be much greater. 
Thank you very much for your time, Mr. Hvid!