Energy Minister Melford Nicholas has signalled that the government will introduce new limits on rooftop solar installations as it works to balance the growth of renewable energy with the stability of national electricity revenues.
Speaking ahead of the upcoming Renewable Energy Symposium, Nicholas said homeowners interested in installing solar systems will still be encouraged to invest, but a cap will be necessary in the initial phase.
He confirmed that the government intends to set a 5kW limit on residential solar capacity, noting that this threshold is designed to prevent a significant loss of revenue for the state-owned utility while broader renewable plans are being developed.
“We want to do business with persons who wish to make the investment in their own solar rooftops,” he said. “But we’re going to have to put some limits in place… We do not want to impair revenues to such an extent that it puts us in peril.”
Nicholas added that the government is also planning utility-scale renewable energy projects, details of which will be presented at the symposium.
Despite the cap, he stressed that households will still be able to use battery storage systems and inverters, allowing them to manage their own energy use more efficiently.
The minister said the phased approach will help the government expand renewable energy responsibly while ensuring the electricity system remains financially secure.
