As Viet nam is driving its solar ambition by first time positioning the largest installed solar PV capacity in the Southeast Asia region in 2020, and further accelerating it with the very recent reform of solar feed-in-tariffs announced by Prime Minister in April 2020, there is a momentum growing for nation-wide solar adoption, if a viable financial model is demonstrated, and if the public sector demonstrates a strong example. There are more than 40,000 schools in Viet Nam that have potential for clean energy transition, particularly by applying the Rooftop Solar System (RTS). The implementation of RTS in schools in the country will not only provide additional energy resource, but also contribute to raising awareness of children in using clean energy.

However, the implementation of RTS in schools in Viet Nam is quite limited due to the lack of a mechanism to scaling up RTS. Schools in Viet Nam are publicly funded by state budget for their operation activities and thus, have the limited ability (or lack thereof) to pay for the heavy capital investment of the RTS systems upfront, which lead to lack of solar adoption by schools. With the recent introduction of a more conducive solar PV electricity tariff, a timely intervention is called for to strengthen the financial model for RTF to further bring down the key barrier for RTS.

The project will support building a Climate-Smart School model through the 12 pilot schools with a solar power and energy efficiency system. Specifically, this project will conduct feasibility studies (FS) for installing solar energy systems and eco-friendly measures at the 12 selected schools and install the panel as per the FS. This pilot will provide data and evidence for a climate-smart school model that can be applied nationwide.

Building on the pilot “Sunshine for Schools Program”, with UNICEF EAPRO technical and financial support, UNICEF Vietnam and GGGI Viet Nam undertake a market assessment for scaling up clean energy for schools across the country. More specifically, this initiative aims to mobilize strong and sustainable investments for RTS in Vietnamese schools.