Malaysia's CREAM programme, LEGA virtual net metering, and MySuria initiative have opened a new path to solar savings for condo owners, apartment renters, and B40 communities — no rooftop required.
Traditional solar requires you to own a rooftop and spend RM 15,000–50,000 upfront. Community solar breaks that barrier. A single, larger solar installation serves dozens — or hundreds — of subscribers who share its output proportionally, regardless of where they live.
You subscribe to a share of a solar plant. The plant generates electricity. Your virtual share of that generation is credited against your TNB bill each month — automatically, with no hardware at your home.
Community Renewable Energy Aggregation Model
In February 2025, the Energy Commission (Suruhanjaya Tenaga) launched CREAM — Malaysia's first formal framework for community solar. This was a landmark policy shift, enabling licensed aggregators to operate shared solar plants and distribute virtual energy credits to subscribers across Peninsular Malaysia.
Credits are calculated virtually — no physical connection between the solar plant and your home is needed.
Only Energy Commission-licensed LEGAs may operate community solar under CREAM — protecting consumers from unlicensed operators.
Credits appear directly on your TNB electricity bill each month — no separate payment platforms or reconciliation needed.
Subscribe to as little as 0.5 kW or scale up to several kW — sized to your average monthly bill and needs.
You pay a monthly subscription fee — typically 10–20% less than the TNB tariff for the equivalent energy — with zero hardware or installation costs.
CREAM subscriptions can be transferred to a new address when you move, or cancelled with 30 days notice — unlike a permanent rooftop installation.
LEGA stands for Licensed Energy Generation Aggregator. Think of it as the operating company that builds, owns, and runs the solar plant on your behalf — while you simply receive monthly credits.
A licensed LEGA constructs a solar generation facility — this could be a rooftop installation on a factory, a ground-mounted farm, or a floating solar array on a reservoir.
Consumers (you) subscribe to a virtual share of the plant's generation capacity — e.g., 1.5 kW of a 500 kW rooftop solar plant on a Prai factory.
Each month, the LEGA reports to TNB exactly how much energy was generated and each subscriber's proportional share.
TNB applies your virtual credits to your electricity bill — reducing your payable amount. You also pay a lower monthly subscription fee to the LEGA for your share.
(TNB bill credit received) minus (LEGA monthly subscription fee) = net saving, typically 10–20% of your solar share value.
MySuria is the government's dedicated solar programme for B40 (lower-income) households in Malaysia. Administered by SEDA Malaysia, it provides subsidised or zero-cost access to community solar benefits — ensuring clean energy is not just for the affluent.
Register via SEDA MySuria Portal
Visit mysuria.seda.gov.my, complete the online form with your MyKad number, TNB account number, and household income declaration. Processing typically takes 4–6 weeks.
You don't need your own rooftop. Here are the three realistic routes to solar savings available to strata property residents in 2026.
The simplest and most accessible option. Sign up individually with a licensed LEGA — no JMB involvement needed. Your virtual credits go directly to your personal TNB account. You pay a monthly fee ~10–20% below your equivalent TNB tariff rate.
Pro
Con
Best for: Individual condo / apartment units
The JMB or MC installs a solar system on the building rooftop to power common areas — lifts, corridor lights, pool pumps, lobby air conditioning. This requires 75% resident approval at an AGM, but it reduces maintenance fees for every unit owner.
Pro
Con
Best for: Progressive JMBs with committee buy-in
The JMB subscribes collectively to a CREAM programme on behalf of all common area electricity accounts. Virtual credits offset the building's common area TNB bills — a lower-commitment alternative to installing physical rooftop hardware.
Pro
Con
Best for: JMBs looking for a quick green win
If you own a landed property with a large, unshaded rooftop — or a commercial building — you can become a community solar host. A licensed LEGA installs and operates the system at zero cost to you, while you receive a fixed monthly rental income for the duration of the lease.
| Property Type | Rooftop Size | Monthly Rental Income | System Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double-storey terrace | 1,500–2,500 sq ft | RM 200–400/month | 8–15 kW |
| Semi-D / Bungalow | 2,500–5,000 sq ft | RM 400–800/month | 15–30 kW |
| Shophouse / SME | 3,000–8,000 sq ft | RM 800–2,000/month | 30–80 kW |
| Factory / Warehouse | 10,000–50,000+ sq ft | RM 2,000–8,000+/month | 200–1,000 kW |
Estimate your potential monthly savings from a CREAM / LEGA subscription based on your current TNB bill.
Estimate based on CREAM programme typical 10–20% net savings. Actual savings depend on LEGA pricing, your tariff block, and generation output. Get a personalised quote for precise figures.
Senai, Johor · Pilot launched Q3 2025
The Senai Community Solar Pilot — co-developed by a licensed LEGA partner, the Johor State Government, and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) — became Malaysia's most closely watched community solar demonstration project. The pilot enrolled 400 households across a mixed residential development in Senai, Johor, covering both landed terrace units and low-rise apartment blocks.
"Before CREAM, solar was impossible for us — we're in a flat. Now our electricity bill is RM 35 lower every month without lifting a finger."
— Puan Faridah, Senai PPR resident (CREAM subscriber since Aug 2025)
The process to join a CREAM community solar programme is straightforward. Here is exactly what to do.
You need a valid TNB account in your name. Renters can check with their landlord whether the account can be used. B40 households should visit the MySuria portal first.
Only subscribe with an Energy Commission-licensed LEGA. Verify the LEGA's licence number on the Suruhanjaya Tenaga public register at st.gov.my before signing any agreement.
Based on your average monthly bill, the LEGA will recommend a subscription size in kW. A good rule: subscribe to roughly 60–80% of your average monthly usage to maximise savings while avoiding over-subscription.
The LEGA will provide a standard agreement regulated by the Energy Commission. Key terms to check: subscription period (typically 3–5 years), exit clause (30 days notice is standard), credit transfer policy if you move, and the monthly fee formula.
The LEGA handles all TNB registration on your behalf. Activation typically takes 2–4 weeks. You will see your first virtual credit on the following month's TNB bill.
Your TNB bill will show a 'Community Solar Credit' line item each month. Most LEGAs also provide a subscriber dashboard or monthly email report with your generation data and carbon offset.
Whether you're a condo owner, a B40 household, or a building owner wanting to lease your roof — Trexon Energy's advisors can guide you through CREAM eligibility, LEGA selection, and the best solar strategy for your situation.