Sarawak operates its own electricity grid through SEB (Sarawak Energy Berhad), separate from Peninsular Malaysia's TNB. The Sarawak NEM (Net Energy Metering) programme allows homeowners and businesses to export excess solar energy to the grid and earn bill credits. Unlike Peninsular Malaysia's Solar ATAP, Sarawak NEM credits carry forward indefinitely — they never expire. This guide walks you through the complete application process.
Sarawak NEM Programme Overview
Sarawak's NEM programme is administered by SEB and allows solar system owners to export excess electricity to the grid at a 1:1 credit ratio against their consumption. Important: This is a bill credit mechanism, not a cash subsidy. You do not receive cash from the government — instead, your monthly SEB bill is reduced by the value of exported solar energy. The key advantage over Peninsular Malaysia is that these credits never expire and roll over month to month.
| Program Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Subsidy Amount | RM 8,000 (basic) to RM 12,000 (maximum, for B40/M40 households) |
| Administering Authority | Sarawak Energy Berhad / SESCo, under ST (Suruhanjaya Tenaga) oversight |
| NEM Export Rate | RM 0.218/kWh (mirroring Peninsular Malaysia rate) |
| Credit Carry-Forward | Up to 24 months (Sarawak retains NEM carry-forward, unlike Peninsular Solar ATAP) |
| Eligible System Size | 3kWp to 12kWp for residential |
| Eligible Properties | Landed residential properties with SESCo metered connection |
| Subsidy Disbursement | Direct discount off installer invoice (not a reimbursement) |
| Program Status (2026) | Active — subject to annual quota allocation |
Am I Eligible? Subsidy Eligibility Checklist
Before beginning the application, confirm all of the following:
- You are a Malaysian citizen (MyKad holder) residing in Sarawak
- Your property has a SESCo electricity account (not TNB — some Sarawak properties near the Sarawak-Sabah border or Federal Government areas may be on TNB)
- Your property is a landed residential unit — single-family home, terrace, semi-D, or bungalow. High-rise units are generally not eligible unless the building has a dedicated roof space and a management corporation willing to apply
- You have not previously received a solar subsidy from SESCo, Sarawak Energy, or the Federal government (SolaRIS, ATAP)
- Your household income falls within the B40 or M40 brackets for the maximum RM 12,000 subsidy. T20 households may still qualify for the RM 8,000 base subsidy
- Your installer is a SESCo-registered solar contractor — the subsidy cannot be claimed through an unregistered installer
Required Documents: Complete Checklist
Prepare all documents before starting the application. Incomplete applications are rejected and require resubmission, adding 2–4 weeks to your timeline.
Applicant Documents
- Photocopy of MyKad (front and back)
- Latest SESCo electricity bill (not more than 3 months old)
- Proof of property ownership: land title, sale and purchase agreement, or strata title
- Income proof for subsidy tier determination:
- B40/M40: Latest 3 months salary slips OR EA form OR e-Borang B from LHDN
- Self-employed: Latest 2 years tax returns (Borang B) OR bank statements for 6 months
- Bank account details (for subsidy disbursement if applicable — most programs disburse directly to installer)
Property Documents
- Site plan or floor plan of the property
- Roof photograph showing available panel mounting area
- Written consent from property owner if applicant is a tenant (rarely applicable for owned homes)
Installer-Provided Documents (Obtained After Site Assessment)
- Proposed system design drawing (single-line diagram)
- Installer's SESCo contractor registration certificate
- Itemised quotation with brand and model of all major components
- Equipment datasheets (panels, inverter, mounting system)
- SIRIM certification for all major components
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: Choose a SESCo-Registered Installer (Week 1)
This is your first critical step. Only installers on SESCo's approved contractor list can submit applications on your behalf and receive the subsidy disbursement. Request the SESCo contractor registration certificate from any installer you approach — a legitimate installer will provide this without hesitation.
Trexon operates in Sarawak through our East Malaysia operations based in Kuching and Miri. Our team is SESCo-registered and handles the full application process for our customers.
Step 2: Site Assessment and System Design (Week 1–2)
Your chosen installer will conduct a site assessment covering:
- Roof orientation, tilt angle, and shading analysis
- Structural assessment of roof load-bearing capacity
- Electrical panel and wiring inspection
- SESCo meter type check (single-phase vs three-phase)
- Review of your last 12 SESCo bills for consumption analysis
Based on the assessment, the installer prepares a system proposal with the recommended system size (typically 3–8kWp for most Sarawak homes), expected generation, and subsidy-inclusive pricing.
Step 3: Submit Application to SESCo (Week 2–3)
Your installer submits the application to SESCo on your behalf through the SESCo NEM portal. The application package includes all applicant documents, property documents, and system design documents listed above. Upon submission, you receive an application reference number for tracking.
Step 4: SESCo Technical Review (Week 3–6)
SESCo's technical team reviews the application. Common reasons for rejection or delay at this stage:
- Incomplete documentation (missing income proof or property title)
- System size exceeds approved load (your SESCo meter capacity)
- Proposed panel placement blocks access routes or extends beyond property boundary
- Installer's equipment not on SESCo approved equipment list
If your application requires clarification, SESCo contacts your installer directly. Ensure your installer responds promptly — delays at this stage are almost always due to slow installer response, not SESCo processing.
Step 5: Approval Letter and Subsidy Confirmation (Week 6–8)
Once approved, SESCo issues a formal Letter of Approval (LOA) confirming:
- Approved system size and specifications
- Confirmed subsidy amount (RM 8,000 or RM 12,000)
- Installation deadline (usually 3–6 months from LOA date)
- Required inspection and commissioning procedure
Step 6: Installation (Week 8–10)
With LOA in hand, your installer proceeds with installation. The subsidy is deducted directly from your invoice — you pay the net amount after subsidy. You never need to handle the subsidy funds yourself; SESCo reimburses the installer directly.
Step 7: SESCo Inspection and Meter Commissioning (Week 10–12)
After installation, SESCo conducts a technical inspection to verify the system matches the approved design. Upon passing inspection, SESCo installs or programs your bidirectional NEM meter and activates the NEM account. From this point, you start earning NEM credits for every kWh exported to the SESCo grid.
Total Timeline Summary
| Stage | Duration | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
| Installer selection and site assessment | 1–2 weeks | Homeowner + Installer |
| Document preparation | 1 week | Homeowner + Installer |
| SESCo application submission | 1–3 days | Installer |
| SESCo technical review | 3–4 weeks | SESCo |
| Approval letter issuance | 1–2 weeks | SESCo |
| Installation | 1–2 days | Installer |
| SESCo inspection and meter commissioning | 2–3 weeks | SESCo + Installer |
| Total end-to-end | 10–14 weeks | — |
How Much Does Solar Actually Cost After the Sarawak Subsidy?
With the RM 12,000 subsidy applied, here is what a typical Sarawak homeowner pays for common system sizes:
| System Size | Gross Installed Cost | Subsidy (RM 12,000 max) | Net Cost to Homeowner | Est. Monthly Savings | Payback Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 kWp | RM 12,000 – 14,500 | RM 8,000 | RM 4,000 – 6,500 | RM 120 – 160 | 2.1 – 4.5 years |
| 5 kWp | RM 18,000 – 22,000 | RM 12,000 | RM 6,000 – 10,000 | RM 200 – 270 | 1.9 – 4.2 years |
| 8 kWp | RM 25,000 – 30,000 | RM 12,000 | RM 13,000 – 18,000 | RM 320 – 430 | 2.5 – 4.7 years |
The subsidy dramatically compresses payback periods — particularly for smaller systems where the RM 12,000 subsidy can cover 60–85% of the total cost. Use our solar savings calculator to estimate your specific monthly savings and payback period based on your actual SESCo electricity bill.
What Happens If Your Quota Is Used Up?
Sarawak's solar subsidy program operates on an annual quota basis. When the quota for the year is exhausted, new applications are placed on a waiting list for the following year's allocation. Historically, quotas have been oversubscribed from July–September each year as homeowners rush to secure their subsidy before year-end.
The best time to apply: January–April, when fresh quotas open and wait times are shortest.
Next Steps for Sarawak Homeowners
If you are in Sarawak and interested in solar, here is your action plan:
- Confirm your SESCo account number from your electricity bill
- Contact Trexon's Sarawak operations team for the RM100 priority site visit (fully credited when you proceed) and subsidy eligibility check
- Review our complete solar incentives guide to understand all available programs — Sarawak homeowners can often stack state and federal incentives for maximum savings
- Get a subsidised quotation — your net cost after RM 12,000 subsidy will be significantly lower than you expect
Trexon's Sarawak team handles the full SESCo application process, documentation, and post-installation support. Contact us through our Sarawak page or call our East Malaysia operations line to get started.