HCMC public offices to install solar panels

The decision was recently approved by Duong Anh Duc, deputy chairman of HCMC People's Committee, as per a suggestion from the Department of Industry and Trade, which falls in line with the government's initiative of developing clean energy to ensure energy security and protect the environment. The project would be funded by the national budget.

For the project's widespread deployment, details such as how the system would be installed, how much it would cost and its effectiveness would be considered by the Department of Industry and Trade, the Department of Science and Technology, and HCMC Power Corporation, city authorities stated.

Bui Trung Kien, deputy head of HCMC Power Corporation, said administrative headquarters need to sign up for solar panel installment within this year for the city to prepare its budget and begin construction starting 2021.

The investment cost for installing solar panels varies over time, now forecast at around VND15 million ($647) per kWp on average, he added.

"When the project is deployed, one needs to consider what direction the roofs face so they could receive sunlight for the longest amount of time. If sun exposure is good, the project would take around 5-7 years to make return on investment," said Kien.

HCMC had over 9,200 structures with solar panels installed by late August, with a capacity of around 127,604 MWp. The government's buying price for such systems is rated at around 8.38 cent/kWh.