Sundaya

 Strengthening Rooftop Solar Energy in Timor-Leste

Since independence, the Government of Timor-Leste has made significant progress in expanding electricity access nationwide. However, this expansion has come at a high cost and with frequent reliability issues due to reliance on diesel generation. Electricity is consistently rated among the top three constraints for businesses, raising costs and reducing competitiveness. Recognising these challenges, the government has committed to generating 50 per cent of electricity from renewable sources.

 For MDF this created a clear business opportunity. High energy costs and frequent power interruptions opened space for rooftop solar solutions—smaller-scale, privately financed systems that can directly reduce costs for households, schools and businesses. To better understand market potential, MDF commissioned a study on the business case for rooftop solar, which confirmed very low levels of adoption but strong financial viability, with attractive payback periods for businesses. This evidence provided clear entry points for MDF to help strengthen the solar market.