Cambodia pauses new authorisations for rooftop solar installation companies

The pause sits at the service-provider licensing stage

Cambodia regulates the installer and the customer's solar system through separate processes. A company offering rooftop-solar installation, operation or maintenance services must first obtain initial approval from the Ministry of Mines and Energy and then apply to the Electricity Authority of Cambodia for the relevant licence.

The 18 September decision stops new applications entering that provider-approval process. It does not cancel the existing approvals of firms already authorised to operate, and it does not remove the rules that allow property owners and businesses to develop rooftop-solar systems through compliant providers.

For practical context, see Cambodia law and taxes. This development also connects with Cambodia hands over 1,312 certificates across eight projects.

Property owners still follow the existing system-size rules

The requirements for the solar system itself depend on grid connection and capacity. Under the ministry's published framework, users outside the national grid do not need EAC approval to install or use rooftop solar. For grid-connected systems of up to 10 kWac, prior EAC approval is not required, although the completed installation must be reported to the local electricity supplier and the grid-connection process still has to be followed.

Medium and larger grid-connected systems above 10 kWac remain subject to EAC approval and the applicable quota and technical rules. For a landlord, factory operator or commercial property owner, the distinction has a practical effect: using an authorised installer does not automatically mean the project itself is exempt from separate approvals.

Existing installers face tighter scrutiny during the pause

The ministry's announcement also stressed that authorised firms must carry out work within the scope of their approvals and must not hand installation responsibilities to unauthorised companies or individuals. MME and EAC may inspect providers, while breaches of licensing conditions or technical requirements can lead to suspension or revocation of authorisations.

For a property owner, the practical check is therefore twofold. Confirm that the contractor currently holds the required MME approval and EAC licence, then verify what the proposed system needs based on its capacity and connection arrangement. The suspension may limit the entry of new installers for now, but it does not close the existing route for rooftop-solar projects using authorised providers.