In 2017, Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR), together with Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Industry, Indonesia Solar Association, Indonesia Renewable Energy Society, others associations and university; launched One Million Rooftop Solar Initiative (Gerakan Nasional Sejuta Surya Atap). Since then, we have been working intensively to take active part in accelerating solar deployment in the country.
On Tuesday (30 July), we have launched our 4 major reports on solar energy, highlighted below:
1. For utility-scale solar power plants, we recommend the government to adopt reverse auction scheme. The effectiveness of the scheme has been proven by 4 countries with record-low solar generation cost (auction should be designed well to create competition and high-quality bids!)
Read more: Under The Same Sun (in English)
2. How massive of solar energy is massive? We decided to show how massive solar energy potential in Indonesia is by calculating technical potential for households in 34 provinces. With 4 scenarios used, Indonesia has 194 – 655 GWp of solar power, residential only. How much of that is feasible to achieve, market wise?
Read more: Residential Rooftop Solar Technical Potential in 34 Provinces in Indonesia (in English)
3. With that potential, why rooftop solar penetration for residential is so low? We asked people in Greater Jakarta and Surabaya to find out. Well, they are aware of the technology, with different perceptions. Those living in Greater Jakarta care more on the savings and ease of use, while people in Surabaya consistently mentioned good impact of solar energy for the environment and its high technology, apart from savings.
Three out of ten people in Greater Jakarta are willing to buy, 1 in 3 people in Surabaya also conveys the same intention. But what makes them reluctant to do it?
Also, the market potential for Greater Jakarta and Surabaya amounts to 13% and 19%, respectively. Assuming 2 kWp installation capacity, the numbers equal to 1,1 – 1,2 GWp and 170 – 186 MWp. Not small numbers compared to Indonesia’s solar energy target (6,5 GW by 2025).
Read more: Market Analysis of Rooftop Solar in Greater Jakarta and Surabaya (in Indonesian), Market Potential of Rooftop Solar PV in Surabaya (in English)
4. Powering the Cities, our latest series. We believe the role of local governments is crucial in accelerating solar deployment in Indonesia. Thus, we calculated technical potential of government and commercial buildings in Jakarta and Surabaya to understand more the solar energy landscape in those cities and how we can work together with local governments to establish solar cities in Indonesia.
Jakarta has 22 MWp rooftop solar potential, while Surabaya has 36 MWp. We encourage Government of Jakarta and Government of Surabaya to tap this potential and start transitioning to low-carbon development.
Read more: Powering the Cities: Technical Potential of Rooftop Solar for Public and Commercial Buildings (Jakarta and Surabaya) (in English)
Powering Indonesia with 100% renewables, or even solar energy only, perhaps no longer a faraway dream.
Warm (pun intended) regards,
Marlistya Citraningrum
Program Manager – Sustainable Energy Access
