On November 28, the Hanoi Union of Science and Technology Associations and D&I Energy Vietnam held a scientific workshop titled "Solutions for rooftop solar development in industrial and export zones to save energy and enhance competitiveness".

The event drew more than 50 enterprises from industrial zones including Hanssip Hanoi, Viet-Japan Haiphong, Viet-Japan Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, Nam Sach and Duong Lieu, along with consulting, investment, insurance organizations and member associations.

Their strong participation reflected the reality that green transition is no longer optional but a critical requirement for competitiveness and compliance with global supply-chain environmental standards.

In his opening remarks, Le Xuan Rao, Chairman of the Hanoi Union of Science and Technology Associations, emphasized the importance of rooftop solar development as Vietnam accelerates energy transition toward a green, circular economy and a net-zero target by 2050.

For Hanoi, Vietnam's major economic and industrial center, the need to use energy efficiently and expand renewable energy, especially in industrial and export zones, has become more urgent than ever.

Rao said rapid electricity-demand growth in industrial zones and the electrification of transport have placed heavy pressure on Hanoi's power grid.

Rooftop solar offers an effective solution by producing electricity at the point of use, reducing grid overload, helping enterprises secure power supply and lowering emissions.

He said the workshop aims not only to share information but also to listen to businesses, investors and experts to propose realistic policy recommendations that accelerate rooftop-solar development in Hanoi and surrounding regions.

At the event, Tran Anh Tuan, Vice Director of the Management Board for Hanoi's High-Tech and Industrial Zones, said renewable-energy adoption, especially rooftop solar, is consistent with the city's green-growth orientation and the practical needs of enterprises.

He said the model helps reduce production costs, increase energy autonomy, minimize overload risks on the grid and improve workplace conditions.

However, Tuan noted challenges for enterprises: inconsistent legal procedures, unclear investment-cooperation mechanisms and insufficient guidelines for rooftop-leasing models, while electrical infrastructure in some areas still needs improvement.

These difficulties highlight the need for stronger coordination among agencies, consultants and investors to support businesses.

He reaffirmed the Management Board's commitment to assisting enterprises through procedure review, guidance, policy-adjustment proposals and promotion of appropriate cooperation models, aiming for "green-clean-circular industrial zones", in which rooftop solar plays an essential role.

Nguyen Khai Van, Vice Head of the Energy Management Division of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, said that under the adjusted National Power Development Plan VIII, the Prime Minister assigned Hanoi an additional 894 MW of rooftop-solar capacity for 2025–2030.

Hanoi currently has 118 MWp installed, including 33.5 MWp of projects built before January 1, 2021. Since 2021, most new rooftop systems operate under self-consumption models without selling excess electricity to the grid.

With nine operational industrial zones and three more under construction, Hanoi has an extensive stock of factory rooftops that offer major rooftop-solar potential. However, development still faces obstacles.

Van said the department has proposed amendments to regulations to expand participation and encourage the integration of energy-storage systems to improve load regulation and grid stability.

During technical discussions, the Hanoi Union of Science and Technology Associations compiled proposals to accelerate rooftop-solar deployment in industrial and export zones.

Solutions include improving policies and technical regulations, especially regarding fire safety, lightning protection, grid connection and roof-load standards, developing pilot models such as public-private partnerships, ESCO models and direct power-purchase agreements and introducing mechanisms for purchasing surplus electricity or time-of-use pricing.

Additional proposals include developing smart grids, two-way metering and automation systems, promoting energy-storage integration to meet electric-vehicle charging needs and reduce localized overload risks and linking rooftop solar to green-industrial-zone development in line with Hanoi's sustainability goals.

Concluding the workshop, Chairman Le Xuan Rao said all analyses and recommendations will be compiled into a report for relevant authorities to help refine policies.

He said the findings will provide enterprises and investors with the foundation needed to implement rooftop-solar systems effectively and safely, supporting Hanoi's shift toward clean and renewable energy as key pillars of green growth and sustainable development.