SOLAR MAGTaiwan is one of the fast-growing solar markets in Asia in recent years. Now, to speed up the pace of building Taiwan’s solar energy system, the Taiwan government intends to give LEGAL recognition to the existing illegal roofs – as long as these illegal roofs have solar energy systems installed and the structures of the buildings can be ensured safety. This program, called “Kaohsiung House”, was adopted earlier this year by the Kaohsiung City Government, and is to be extended to other cities in Taiwan.
Just like many other regions in the world, Taiwan requires all rooftop solar energy systems can only be installed after the buildings and the projects pass inspections. But in 2015, there were already more than 3,000 buildings having illegal installation of rooftop solar energy systems – which has brought many difficulties to the healthy promotion of solar energy systems. If the illegal installation can be carefully inspected and then legalized, the promotion of solar energy would be easier and accelerated in Taiwan.
Li Shiguang, head of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, said that this program is related to the construction laws enacted by the Ministry of the Interior. It would be very hard and time-consuming to give the existing laws a comprehensive and systematic revision. But if other local county or municipal governments launch relevant regulations similar to the “Kaohsiung House”, the Ministry of Economic Affairs can be easier to provide appropriate subsides to the owners of rooftop solar energy systems.
Mr. Li Shiguang also pointed out that the Taoyuan government has also been discussing to give legal recognition to the existing illegal solar roofs. He also added that the Ministry of Economic Affairs will always encourage all the beneficial endeavors and practices across Taiwan to promote the installation of solar systems, as long as the installation is able to be ensured safety. All measures by governments should be carried out according to their local sunshine conditions and housing patterns.
On the other hand, this type of program reflects the insufficiencies in scientific planning and effective measures in the early stage of the development of Taiwan's solar energy industry. Other regions or countries can learn something from it and try to avoid the existence of illegal solar systems. comment↓
