The Solar Industries Association (SIA) has raised concerns over recent developments that threaten Sri Lanka’s rooftop solar sector, warning that unfair tariff policies and misleading claims could destabilise the industry and hinder the country’s renewable energy ambitions.

The association, which represents over 1,000 companies and 40,000 workers in the sector, strongly refuted the Ceylon Electricity Board’s (CEB) claim that rooftop solar installations contributed to the recent island-wide power failure. The SIA has urged authorities to appoint an independent expert committee to investigate the incident, warning that unverified accusations erode public trust and misdirect accountability.

The SIA welcomed the appointment of a tariff determination committee but criticised its narrow focus on tariff model parameters, arguing that it overlooks the economic and social benefits rooftop solar provides. The association highlighted that frequent and drastic tariff fluctuations could discourage new investments, undermine investor confidence, threaten 100,000 rooftop solar projects—many owned by middle-class households—and cause significant job losses in the sector. The association stressed the need for a stable and predictable policy framework to ensure long-term investments in rooftop solar.

Unlike large-scale solar and wind projects, rooftop solar offers several key advantages, including efficient land use, reduced transmission losses, and greater community participation. The SIA also highlighted that rooftop solar is rapidly deployable, unlike large-scale projects that face delays due to land acquisition and environmental approvals. In 2024 alone, Sri Lanka’s rooftop solar sector contributed 500MW to the national grid, meeting 5 percent of the country’s electricity demand—an achievement difficult for large-scale projects to match in such a short timeframe.

The association has called on the government to conduct a transparent investigation into the recent power failure, consider the broader economic and social benefits of rooftop solar in tariff revisions, establish a long-term, stable policy framework to encourage investments, and recognise rooftop solar as a key part of Sri Lanka’s renewable energy future.

With over 1,000 SMEs and 40,000 workers depending on the industry, the SIA warned that unjust policies could lead to the sector’s collapse, with severe consequences for employment, investment, and energy security. The association reaffirmed its commitment to working with the government to ensure a sustainable future for Sri Lanka’s rooftop solar industry.