Indonesia's Industry: The Key to Rooftop Solar Power (PLTS Atap) Development

Indonesia's industrial sector holds significant potential to play a crucial role in the nation's renewable energy adoption, particularly in the expansion of rooftop solar power (PLTS Atap). The industrial and business sectors consume approximately half of the national electricity supply and possess vast rooftop spaces in factories, shopping malls, and office buildings, making them ideal locations for solar panel installation. Philip Effendy, Vice President of Operations at PT Xurya Daya Indonesia, discussed the utilization of Indonesia's abundant solar resources in an interview with Mongabay Indonesia. PLTS Atap not only generates electricity without carbon emissions during operation but is also silent, requires relatively low maintenance costs, and has the potential to reduce companies' electricity bills. However, its installation necessitates careful consideration of factors such as roof condition, electricity demand, solar intensity, equipment quality, and installation accuracy. Effendy emphasized that while government policies are important, corporate decisions regarding their electricity sources are key to the energy transition. Despite having abundant sunshine throughout the year, the utilization of solar power in Indonesia remains suboptimal. Active participation from the industrial sector is considered essential to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and achieve carbon emission reduction targets. This discussion highlights Indonesia's solar power potential, the benefits of utilizing building rooftops as energy sources, installation schemes, investment costs, and the role of the business world in reducing emissions. It underscores that the energy transition depends not only on the government but also on the decisions of industries and corporations in determining their electricity sources.