Solar ATAP vs NEM vs SELCO: What Changed and Which Scheme Applies in 2026

Progressture Solar
4 days ago
4 min read

By: Progressture Solar | Last verified: 29 July 2026

For a new Peninsular Malaysia rooftop-solar applicant in 2026, Solar ATAP is the current programme that allows eligible customers to self-consume solar and receive credits for surplus exports. NEM 3.0’s quota offer period ended on 30 June 2025, so it is not the new-application route described by SEDA for 2026. SELCO remains the self-consumption route where surplus export is not allowed. Existing NEM customers should check their signed programme contract rather than assume an automatic move to ATAP.

Last verified: 29 July 2026

The 2026 comparison at a glance

Feature • Solar ATAP • NEM 3.0 • SELCO

Status for a new 2026 applicant • Current programme • NEM 3.0 quota offer ended 30 Jun 2025 • Continuing self-consumption framework

Can surplus export to grid? • Yes • Yes, under its legacy programme terms • No—excess is not allowed to export

Domestic export value • Applicable Energy Charge • Historic NEM Rakyat used one-on-one offset • Not applicable

Credit rollover • No; unused same-period credit is forfeited • NEM Rakyat credits could roll up to 12 months • Not applicable

Contract/programme period • 10 years from commencement • NEM Rakyat: 10 years • Check current SELCO guideline / technical design

Domestic capacity headline • 5 kW single phase; 15 kW three phase • 5 kW single phase; 12.5 kW three phase under NEM Rakyat • Design/technical requirements apply; export prohibited

Important: This table compares the published mechanics. It is not advice to terminate a current NEM agreement. NEM customers should obtain written guidance from their provider/TNB/SEDA before changing programme status.

What changed when Solar ATAP replaced the NEM new-application route?

1. Domestic export credits are now explicitly tied to the Energy Charge

Solar ATAP grants domestic customers a bill credit at the applicable Energy Charge for exported surplus. The guideline says the credit cannot offset AFA. For a business, exported surplus is valued at the previous month’s average SMP (7am–7pm), not its retail tariff.

2. Unused Solar ATAP credits do not roll over

Under Solar ATAP, exported energy may offset imported electricity in the same billing period up to the Maximum Allowable Quantity. Any unutilised export is forfeited. By contrast, SEDA’s NEM Rakyat page says NEM credits could roll forward for up to 12 months. This is why load matching matters more for a new ATAP design.

3. Some capacity settings changed

For homes, ATAP’s stated domestic limits are 5 kW single-phase and 15 kW three-phase; NEM Rakyat stated 5 kW and 12.5 kW respectively. For non-domestic ATAP applicants, the inverter output may be up to 100% of maximum demand, subject to assessment and a 1,000 kW cap.

4. ATAP is not a virtual aggregation programme

The NEM 3.0 website describes NOVA Category B as allowing exports to be credited to up to three designated premises under its legacy rules. Do not assume that feature continues under Solar ATAP: the current ATAP guideline describes credits for electricity imported/consumed by the ATAP consumer within the same billing period and says credits cannot be transferred to other accounts.

Which option is most likely to apply to you?

Your situation • Likely route / next action

New TNB domestic homeowner in Peninsular Malaysia; wants export credits • Assess Solar ATAP eligibility and size for daytime load

New business customer; wants rooftop solar and surplus export • Solar ATAP assessment; model exports at live Average SMP, not retail tariff

Site wants solar only for its own instantaneous use and can prevent export • Explore SELCO; confirm anti-export / technical requirements

Existing NEM participant • Keep and review current contract; do not assume automatic ATAP migration

Multiple accounts / wants credits sent elsewhere • Do not assume ATAP can do this; get written scheme advice because ATAP credit transfer is prohibited

Sabah or Sarawak customer • Do not use this Peninsular Malaysia guide as confirmation; consult the local utility/regulator

Eligibility and installation checkpoints for Solar ATAP

• The current guideline applies in Peninsular Malaysia.

• The applicant is an existing consumer; a participant with NEM or existing self-consumption solar may join only after terminating the current contract, subject to the guideline’s conditions.

• Co-generators/back-feed customers and multi-tenant consumers are not eligible.

• Rooftop PV must be on buildings in the same premise; solar carparks/covered walkways in the same compound may be permitted.

• An RPVSP submits the application through eATAP; application paperwork follows installation completion and successful commissioning.

• Technical study requirements depend on capacity and supply type. For domestic, the published threshold table shows no study at up to 5 kW single-phase / 15 kW three-phase, with a CCC above those limits.

The guideline text and web FAQ phrase the NEM/SELCO eligibility scenario differently. For operational decisions, use the signed agreement and seek written confirmation—not a blog interpretation.

How to choose system size under ATAP

1. Start with 12 months of bills and, where possible, half-hourly/daytime consumption.

2. Estimate solar generation from the actual roof, shading and orientation.

3. Size first for self-consumption; exported credits have stricter value and expiry limits.

4. For businesses, use the current Average SMP rather than a fixed assumed export rate.

5. Include connection assessment, roof works, financing, maintenance and replacement assumptions in the business case.

Sources and claim-verdict / staleness notes

Claim • Verdict at 29 Jul 2026 • Source / publication control

ATAP began 1 Jan 2026, while NEM 3.0 quota offer ended 30 Jun 2025 • ✅ Verified • TNB ATAP page: https://www.mytnb.com.my/renewable-energy/solar-accelerated-transition-action-programme; SEDA NEM 3.0 page: https://www.seda.gov.my/reportal/nem/

SELCO does not allow excess export • ✅ Verified • SEDA SELCO page: https://www.seda.gov.my/reportal/self-consumption/

ATAP domestic Energy Charge credit, business SMP credit, no rollover/AFA offset, 10-year period, capacity limits • ✅ Verified • Energy Commission/SEDA ATAP guideline: https://www.seda.gov.my/reportal/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GUIDELINES-FOR-SOLAR-ACCELERATED.pdf

NEM Rakyat legacy one-on-one offset, 12-month rollover and old capacity figures • ✅ Verified as legacy NEM 3.0 terms • SEDA NEM page: https://www.seda.gov.my/reportal/nem/

Existing NEM customers automatically move to ATAP • ❌ Do not claim • No such automatic-migration evidence located in official sources inspected

ATAP scope / rules and SMP • ⚠️ Regulatory and monthly-price risk • Re-check guideline, TNB page and Single Buyer SMP: https://www.singlebuyer.com.my/market/market-data/system-marginal-price at publication