Schools across Malaysia are feeling the pressure of rising electricity costs, with TNB tariff updates and new charges like the Automatic Fuel Adjustment (AFA) adding up to thousands more in monthly bills. Solar power is one of the most effective ways to close that gap, while also giving schools a chance to lead in sustainability.
This guide explains what NEM GoMEn was, why solar makes sense for schools, what a real Malaysian school solar project looks like, and what current options are available today.
What Is NEM GoMEn and Who Was It For?
NEM GoMEn, short for Net Energy Metering for Government Ministries and Entities, was a sub-scheme under Malaysia’s NEM 3.0 programme launched in 2021. It was specifically designed for government-owned and government-assisted institutions, including government schools, universities, and public agencies.
With a dedicated 100MW quota and a generous 1-to-1 offset, NEM GoMEn allowed eligible schools to maximise the financial value of their solar systems by crediting every unit exported to the TNB grid at the same rate as a unit imported.
Why Solar for Schools Makes Sense
Solar offers schools more than just lower electricity bills. It delivers significant cost savings that can be redirected toward students, classrooms, and educational programs. Beyond the financial impact, solar systems serve as a real-world STEM teaching tool, with live generation and savings data that students can engage with directly.
Going solar also positions schools as ESG and sustainability leaders, supports green building certifications, and provides a hedge against unpredictable AFA fluctuations and future tariff increases.
A Real Case Study:
SJKC Pui Ying’s NEM GoMEn Solar Project
The school: SJKC Pui Ying, a Chinese national-type primary school
System size: 189.42 kWp solar PV system, comprising 308 Trina Solar 615W N-Type double glass monofacial panels and four Solis commercial inverters
Generation: Approximately 19,013 kWh per month, or 228,156 kWh per year
Financial outcomes:
- Estimated monthly electricity bill savings: RM 9,750 in the first year
- Cumulative savings over 10 years: RM 844,787
- Return on investment: 2.65 years
- Total system cost: RM 304,000 (outright purchase model)
Environmental impact:
- CO2 avoidance per year: 141,913 kg
- Equivalent to the annual carbon absorption of 6,039 trees
For context, the school was on Tariff B, with an effective electricity cost of around 48.96 sen per kWh after applicable adjustments and the NEM GoMEn 10% discount. The 10% discount is standard TNB tariff discount automatically given to government-assisted educational institutions (such as Sekolah Bantuan Kerajaan), places of worship, and welfare homes, regardless of solar installation in the premise. With solar offsetting nearly all daytime usage, the school is on track to enjoy decades of meaningful savings while serving as a visible example of climate leadership for its students and community.
How the Installation Process Works for Schools
AQ Energy’s school solar projects typically follow a structured 3-step process designed to minimise administrative burden on school management while ensuring full regulatory compliance.
Step 1: Appointment and Layout Proposal. Once AQ Energy is formally appointed, the team conducts a detailed site assessment and prepares a customized panel and inverter layout proposal tailored to the school’s roof structure, energy consumption profile, and available space.
Step 2: Documentation and Procurement. This phase covers all the technical and regulatory groundwork, including the Connection Assessment Study (CAS), submissions to Suruhanjaya Tenaga (ST) and SEDA Malaysia, and procurement of all system components. AQ Energy handles the entire application process so school administrators don’t have to navigate the technical paperwork themselves.
Step 3: Construction, Commissioning, and Maintenance. Once approvals are received, AQ Energy’s in-house team begins the physical installation, completes all electrical work, and commissions the system. Periodic post-installation maintenance is provided to ensure the system continues to perform optimally over its 25-year life.
The typical project timeline from confirmation to commissioning is 5 to 6 months, with the bulk of that time spent on regulatory approvals rather than physical installation.
NEM GoMEn Has Ended. What’s Next for Schools?
It’s important to note that the NEM 3.0 programme, including NEM GoMEn, officially ended on 30 June 2025. Schools that had already received NEM GoMEn approval continue to enjoy their original contract terms.
For schools considering solar today, the active programme is Solar ATAP (Solar Accelerated Transition Action Programme), which launched on 1 January 2026 as the successor to NEM 3.0. Solar ATAP retains the core principle of self-consumption with grid export, but with a few important differences:
- No fixed national quota, so schools can apply year-round without worrying about being locked out
- Credits reset every month rather than rolling over for 24 months
- Commercial users (which includes most public institutions) receive export credits at the System Marginal Price (SMP), a wholesale market rate
- Contracts run for 10 years, after which systems continue to operate on a self-consumption basis
The shift to Solar ATAP makes correct system sizing more important than ever, since surplus exports are credited at lower rates than under the old NEM GoMEn 1-to-1 model. Pairing solar with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) can significantly boost savings by storing excess daytime energy for evening use.
You can read the full breakdown in our 2026 Solar ATAP Malaysia guide.
Funding Options for Schools Going Solar Today
Schools have a few practical ways to fund solar:
- Outright Purchase — Best ROI and largest long-term savings, with potential GITA tax savings. See our commercial and industrial solar page.
- Zero-CAPEX (PPA / CRESS) — A third-party developer funds the system, and the school pays for the energy at a discounted rate. Read more in our Zero-CAPEX guide.
- Solar + BESS — Maximise self-consumption and protect against AFA fluctuations by storing daytime energy for evening use. Learn more in our BESS guide.
Building a Greener Future, One School at a Time
Solar power for schools is more than just a financial decision. It’s an investment in the next generation of Malaysians who will grow up seeing renewable energy in action and understanding firsthand why sustainability matters. Every panel installed sends a message: clean energy is real, accessible, and worth pursuing.
While NEM GoMEn has now ended, the door to school solar adoption is wider than ever thanks to Solar ATAP. The right solar partner can help your institution navigate the application process, design the right system for your needs, and deliver real measurable savings from year one.
Ready to find out how solar can transform your school’s energy strategy? WhatsApp AQ Energy today for a free consultation and feasibility study.
- Interested in installing solar panels for your home? Check out our Solar Panel for Home page
- Want to know more about solar solutions for business, commercial or industrial? Check out our Solar Panel for Business page to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A. What is NEM GoMEn and is it still available?
NEM GoMEn (Net Energy Metering for Government Ministries and Entities) was a dedicated sub-scheme under NEM 3.0, designed for government-owned and government-assisted institutions including government schools and universities. It offered a 1-to-1 offset for solar energy exported to the TNB grid. NEM GoMEn ended on 30 June 2025 along with the rest of the NEM 3.0 programme, and has been replaced by Solar ATAP from 1 January 2026. Existing NEM GoMEn participants continue to receive credits under their original 10-year contracts.
