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Configure solarCan't Install Solar? Community Solar Brings Clean Energy to Everyone
Malaysia's CREAM programme and LEGA virtual net metering describe a path to community solar savings for condo owners and apartment renters — no rooftop required.
What Is Community Solar?
Traditional solar requires you to own a rooftop and pay a large upfront cost. 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.
Who benefits most from community solar?
- Condo & apartment owners (no private rooftop)
- Renters who cannot install permanent fixtures
- B40 households without upfront capital
- Offices & SMEs in multi-tenancy buildings
- Landed homeowners who want supplemental solar income
The Core Concept
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, with no hardware at your home.
The CREAM Programme
Community Renewable Energy Aggregation Model
In February 2025, the Energy Commission (Suruhanjaya Tenaga) announced CREAM, a community renewable energy aggregation mechanism for licensed aggregators and shared solar plants. Check current details with Suruhanjaya Tenaga or TNB.
Virtual Net Metering
Credits are calculated virtually — no physical connection between the solar plant and your home is needed.
Licensed Aggregators (LEGA)
Only Energy Commission-licensed LEGAs may operate community solar under CREAM — protecting consumers from unlicensed operators.
TNB Bill Integration
How credits appear on your TNB bill depends on the operator and TNB; check current terms.
Flexible Subscription Sizes
Subscription size depends on the operator's offer — check current terms with Suruhanjaya Tenaga / TNB.
No Upfront Hardware Cost
You pay the operator a monthly subscription fee, with no hardware or installation costs on your side.
Transferable & Cancellable
CREAM subscriptions can be transferred to a new address when you move, or cancelled, subject to the operator's terms (check current terms with Suruhanjaya Tenaga / TNB) — unlike a permanent rooftop installation.
How LEGA Works: The Technical Engine Behind CREAM
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.
LEGA builds solar plant
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.
Subscribers sign up for virtual shares
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.
Plant generates & reports to TNB
Each month, the LEGA reports to TNB exactly how much energy was generated and each subscriber's proportional share.
Credits applied to your bill (operator terms)
TNB applies your virtual credits to your electricity bill — reducing your payable amount. You also pay a monthly subscription fee to the LEGA for your share.
Your net monthly saving
(TNB bill credit received) minus (LEGA monthly subscription fee) = net saving. The size of the saving depends on the operator's pricing.
For Condo & Apartment Owners: 3 Pathways to Solar
You don't need your own rooftop. Here are three routes to consider as a strata resident in 2026.
Option 1: Subscribe to a CREAM / LEGA Scheme
Option 1Where a licensed LEGA offers a subscription, you may be able to sign up individually — individual subscription may not need JMB approval, but ask your JMB or MC and check the operator's terms. Your virtual credits go directly to your personal TNB account. You pay the operator a monthly fee; the net saving depends on its pricing. CREAM is an aggregation mechanism announced by the authorities; check details with Suruhanjaya Tenaga or TNB.
Pro
- +JMB approval usually not needed (ask your JMB or MC and check the operator's terms)
- +No hardware, no installation
- +Transferable when you move
Con
- −LEGA operators still limited in 2026
- −Savings lower than owning rooftop solar
Best for: Individual condo / apartment units
Option 2: JMB/MC Rooftop Solar for Common Areas
Best ROIThe JMB or MC installs a solar system on the building rooftop to power common areas — lifts, corridor lights, pool pumps, lobby air conditioning — for self-consumption on the common-area meter. This usually needs an AGM resolution, but it reduces maintenance fees for every unit owner. Solar ATAP excludes multi-tenant premises, so eligibility is confirmed with TNB per building.
Pro
- +Reduces maintenance fees for ALL residents
- +Uses solar directly on common-area loads
- +Increases building asset value & green credentials
Con
- −Needs an AGM resolution and TNB eligibility check
- −Large upfront cost, quoted per building
Best for: Progressive JMBs with committee buy-in
Option 3: Collective JMB CREAM Subscription
Quick WinThe 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
- +No major construction; whether an AGM resolution is needed depends on the building and terms
- +Savings depend on the operator's pricing
- +Low administrative burden for JMB
Con
- −Benefits go to common area accounts only
- −Individual units must subscribe separately for personal savings
Best for: JMBs looking for a quick green win
Own a Rooftop? Community Solar Roof Leasing (Market Illustration)
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 monthly rental income for the duration of the lease. This is a market illustration only: Trexon does not arrange roof leasing, and the figures below are indicative, not sourced from SEDA.
| Property Type | Rooftop Size | Monthly Rental Income | System Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double-storey terrace | 1,500–2,500 sq ft | Set by LEGA operator | 8–15 kW |
| Semi-D / Bungalow | 2,500–5,000 sq ft | Set by LEGA operator | 15–30 kW |
| Shophouse / SME | 3,000–8,000 sq ft | Set by LEGA operator | 30–80 kW |
| Factory / Warehouse | 10,000–50,000+ sq ft | Set by LEGA operator | 200–1,000 kW |
Benefits for Roof Owners
- Zero installation cost — LEGA pays everything
- Rental income and lease term are set by the LEGA operator
- LEGA handles all maintenance and insurance
- Optional: discounted electricity for your own use
- Passive income with no ongoing effort
How to Join Community Solar in Malaysia: Step-by-Step
If a licensed LEGA offers a subscription, these are the steps to check.
Check Your Eligibility
You need a valid TNB account in your name. Renters can check with their landlord whether the account can be used. Ask your JMB or MC before subscribing.
Choose a Licensed LEGA
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.
Select Your Subscription Size
Based on your average monthly bill, the LEGA will recommend a subscription size in kW.
Sign the CREAM Subscription Agreement
The LEGA will provide a subscription agreement. Key terms to check: subscription period, exit clause, credit transfer policy if you move, and the monthly fee formula. Subscription period and exit terms vary — check current terms with Suruhanjaya Tenaga / TNB.
LEGA Notifies TNB & Activates Credits
The LEGA handles TNB registration on your behalf. Activation timing and when credits first appear on your bill vary — check current terms with Suruhanjaya Tenaga / TNB.
Monitor Your Savings Monthly
Check with the operator and TNB how credits appear on your bill. Most LEGAs also provide a subscriber dashboard or monthly email report with your generation data and carbon offset.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Explore Community Solar for Your Home?
Whether you're a condo owner, a B40 household, or a building owner wanting to lease your roof — Trexon Energy can explain your options, including a JMB/MC common-area system, and the right solar strategy for your situation.
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