Bali Launches Rooftop Solar Acceleration Program to Lead Green Energy Transition

The Indonesian province of Bali has officially launched a flagship program aimed at accelerating the deployment of rooftop solar systems as part of its broader push toward a sustainable and low-carbon future.

Initiated by Bali Governor I Wayan Koster, the initiative prioritizes installations on government buildings, public facilities, and the business sector.

At the program’s launch, Governor Koster announced that all provincial, district and city government offices, along with hotels, villas, schools, campuses, and markets, will be required to install rooftop solar panels.

The Jakarta-based think tank Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) welcomed the move, calling it a “fast and flexible solution well-suited to Bali’s geographic and socioeconomic conditions.” IESR estimates Bali’s total solar power potential at 22 GW, with rooftop solar alone accounting for between 3.3 GW and 10.9 GW. However, the province has so far utilized just 1% of this potential and remains heavily dependent on fossil-based electricity, much of it imported from Java via undersea cables.

Fabby Tumiwa, Executive Director of IESR, emphasized the importance of integrating battery energy storage systems (BESS) with distributed rooftop solar to reduce the risk of electricity disruptions from Java, which currently supplies25% to 30% of Bali’s power.

IESR also urged the national government to abolish the current quota system and reinstate net-metering policies,along with dedicated support for rooftop solar paired with BESS for commercial and industrial users.

“As the cultural and tourism heart of Indonesia, Bali has the potential to become a real-world model for a fair and community-driven energy transition,” IESR stated. “Rooftop PV is not only a technical solution but also a symbol of citizen participation in protecting the planet.”

To realize this vision, IESR called for expanded collaboration among local governments, state-owned utility PLN, educational institutions, local communities, businesses, and civil society organizations.

Bali has set a goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045, aligning with Indonesia’s national target of decarbonizing its energy system by 2060 or sooner. As of August 2022, the country’s cumulative installed solar capacity surpassed 700 MW, according to IESR data.