These days, a lot of people are discussing about nem rakyat. Over breakfast nasi lemak or a late-night teh tarik, people are wondering, “Do I fit the bill?” Can my house obtain this solar incentive? The regulations can look hard to follow at first, but they’re not as hard as you think.

Let’s start over. The initiative is for Malaysians who want to place solar panels on their houses. Individual homeowners are at the front of the line. If you pay your electricity payment to Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), you’ve already passed the first test. You can’t have a shoplot, a business building, or Auntie Rosmah’s cake shop as your home. It has to be registered as a residence.

But there’s more. People who live in tall buildings don’t have to worry about being in the dark. People who live in apartments and condos can also apply, however the residential management (JMB or MC) has to take care of the application for shared areas. Think of how the corridors, lobby, and elevators will be lit. If your condo committee wants to save money (and who doesn’t?), NEM Rakyat is a good way to achieve so.

Your application must be connected to the TNB grid, and your contract should be with TNB, not Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd or any other utility. Check your electricity bill. You’re fine if it says TNB. The name on the TNB account and the name on the house must be the same. There might be some documentation that needs to be moved around, but it’s something that most people have done before. Remember that people from other countries and businesses can’t join. The concept is only for Malaysian residences, not rental apartments managed by businesses.

The government only allows installations of 10 kilowatts (kW) for single-family houses and 100 kW for shared areas in high-rises. This constraint helps the program stay on target by focusing on how solar energy can help homes, not big farms. It is important to act fast because there is a nationwide limit of 100MW (one megawatt equals 1,000 kilowatts).

Keep in mind that applications must go through the official SEDA (Sustainable Energy Development Authority) website. No matter what your neighbor’s friend’s cousin says on WhatsApp, that maintains everything fair and above board.

In short, NEM Rakyat helps more than just the privileged. Anyone who resides at an address and has a TNB account has a chance. This plan could help you ride Malaysia’s solar wave if you have sunlight, a willing committee (for individuals who live in high-rises), and want to save money.