Indonesia has taken a major step in its energy transition journey with the launch of a 1.3 GW rooftop solar power system on April 21, 2026. This milestone was achieved through a strong collaboration between the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, PT PLN (Persero), and the Indonesian Solar Energy Association. It reflects the country’s growing focus on building a cleaner, more reliable, and sustainable energy system. This achievement also marks Indonesia reaching around 1.3 GW of installed rooftop solar capacity. It sets the stage for a much bigger goal—developing up to 100 GW of solar energy in the coming years.
The initiative is part of the broader Road to IndoSolar 2026 program, which brings together government bodies, industry players, investors, academics, and global partners to speed up solar energy development across the country. The launch supports several key national priorities. It aligns with PLN’s long-term electricity plan (2025–2034), which focuses on increasing the share of renewable energy in the overall energy mix.
It also supports efforts to expand access to clean energy through village-based and cooperative-led programs. At the same time, it helps industries become more competitive by lowering emissions and improving energy efficiency. The initiative is also expected to support future economic growth, including the rise of green industries and environmentally friendly data centers, while strengthening Indonesia’s position in the ASEAN energy transition landscape.
Rooftop solar systems are seen as one of the most practical solutions for Indonesia due to the country’s abundant sunlight. These systems are flexible, quick to install, and can be used across different sectors—from homes and small businesses to public facilities and large industries. Over the past few years, rooftop solar capacity in Indonesia has grown rapidly, increasing from around 146 MW in 2024 to 1.3 GW in 2026. This growth highlights the country’s vast solar potential, which includes about 165.9 GW for land-based solar and 38.13 GW for floating solar projects, based on a 2025 study by the Institute for Essential Services Reform.
Government support has played a key role in this expansion, especially through policies like ESDM Regulation No. 2 of 2024, which has helped strengthen the national solar energy ecosystem. The move toward decentralized energy systems, such as rooftop solar, is also helping improve energy security, reduce carbon emissions, create green jobs, support local manufacturing, and encourage community participation in the energy transition. According to Mada Ayu Habsari, Chairperson of AESI, solar energy in Indonesia has moved beyond being just a future possibility—it is now a national priority.
With around 135 members, AESI represents a wide network of stakeholders, including manufacturers, developers, technology providers, financial institutions, and certification bodies. This growing ecosystem is essential for scaling up solar energy projects across the country. The government has set an ambitious target of developing between 80 and 100 GW of solar power capacity. This goal is not only about increasing clean energy supply but also about boosting the domestic solar industry and creating jobs. It is estimated that the solar program could generate at least 760,000 new jobs. Plans are also in place to expand solar installations beyond rooftops to ground-mounted systems, especially in rural areas, cooperatives, and public health facilities, while also supporting the growth of electric vehicles.
From PLN’s perspective, reaching 1.3 GW is an important milestone in encouraging wider solar adoption. The company remains committed to supporting national clean energy policies and expanding solar use across different sectors. To make adoption easier, PLN has introduced a rooftop solar licensing feature through the PLN Mobile app. This allows users to apply, track approvals, and manage installations more easily, making the process faster and more transparent. As part of this milestone, AESI also hosted the National Solar Transition Forum 2026 on April 21–22. The event brought together experts and stakeholders to share insights from countries like India, Pakistan, and Thailand, and to discuss policies, investments, infrastructure readiness, and market development.
The forum also introduced four key focus areas: achieving the 100 GW solar vision, supporting independent power producers, expanding rooftop solar, and building a skilled green workforce. Looking ahead, the 1.3 GW rooftop solar initiative is expected to drive even larger solar developments across Indonesia. With continued cooperation between the government, PLN, industry players, and the public, the country is well positioned to make solar energy a major part of its economic growth strategy. This effort will not only speed up Indonesia’s shift to clean energy but also strengthen its role as a leader in the ASEAN region’s energy transition.
Discover more from SolarQuarter
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
