Ho Chi Minh City, 19 June 2025 – Amid growing global challenges posed by climate change and the urgent need for an energy transition, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Phuc Khang Corporation, and partner organizations have officially launched the “Balcony Solar Systems for Viet Nam” (BSS4VN) project. The ceremony took place at the Green Gallery, 42 Mac Dinh Chi Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, marking an important milestone in advancing urban renewable energy solutions in Viet Nam.
International cooperation toward a green energy future
Inspired by Germany’s successful balcony solar model – with over 800,000 systems installed nationwide in 2024 alone – the BSS4VN, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) under the develoPPP program, aims to replicate this model in Viet Nam. The project is expected to deliver a clean, affordable, and accessible energy solution for households and businesses.
More than just a technical solution, balcony solar power reflects a shift in approach towards energy – from reliance on centralized supply to proactive production and consumption at point-of-use. This is a practical solution that aligns with Viet Nam’s Power Plan VIII, which aims to increase self-produced and self-consumed solar power. Ultra-small solar systems like balcony solar can be seen as an accessible and suitable option for many households in Viet Nam.
The BSS4VN project is a public-private partnership project, with GIZ as the public partner and a consortium of Vietnamese and international companies – including SolarBK, REEPRO, Energy365, Tona Syntegra, Blueberry Energy, SmartSolar, and Phuc Khang Corporation – as private partners.
The project’s first pilot balcony solar system will be installed at the Diamond Lotus Riverside – a green-certified building developed by Phuc Khang Mitsubishi Corporation Holding (PKMC), a joint venture between Phuc Khang Group and Mitsubishi Corporation. The building features several outstanding green characteristics, including: a 44% reduction in energy consumption compared to the baseline, a 35% reduction in water usage through efficient sanitary fixtures, 21.6% of the site dedicated to landscaped areas that help mitigate the urban heat island effect, and 100% of its irrigation system using recycled water. These elements not only enhance the quality of life for residents but also provide a solid foundation for the adoption of renewable energy solutions such as solar power.
The balcony solar system piloted at Diamon Lotus Riverside will be fully supported by the BSS4VN project, including equipment, installation and monitoring for 50 apartments. One system per balcony is expected to generate an average of 52 kWh of electricity per month, meeting around 17% of the average electricity demand of a household in Ho Chi Minh City. The estimated payback period is six years or less, after which the system will continue to produce electricity at no cost (based on calculations conducted in February 2025).
In the near future, more pilot balcony solar installations will be expanded to other housing types — such as townhouses and villas — across Ho Chi Minh City, in cooperation with other BSS4VN partners.
At the launch ceremony, representatives jointly performed the ceremony for the cooperation agreement and officially kicked off the BSS4VN project. The event welcomed Mr. Christopher Scholl – Deputy Consul General of Germany in Ho Chi Minh City, along with representatives of BSS4VN business partners and experts in engineering and solar energy. More than just marking the official start of BSS4VN’s implementation, the event also sent a strong message of commitment to a greener, more sustainable future.
A solution for sustainable urban energy ecosystems
Viet Nam’s electricity demand – particularly in urban areas – is growing at around 10% annually. The current power grid has limited capacity to absorb the increasing output from renewable energy sources, leading to significant curtailment of surplus renewable energy, even as power shortages persist during peak months, often requiring load-shedding. Given the projected rise in electricity prices, a self-generation and self-consumption energy system in apartments, town houses and office buildings – especially in densely populated urban high-rises – offers a practical, attractive, and sustainable solution.
The balcony solar model presents several key advantages: it is easy to install, requires relatively low capital investment, and does not take up roof space. In Germany, users can purchase balcony solar systems at supermarkets or directly from the manufacturers online, install them without professional technicians, and easily monitor electricity generation and consumption via smartphone applications.
To adapt this model to Viet Nam, from June 2025 to April 2027, the BSS4VN will implement a series of activities including:
- Install and monitor up to 100 pilot balcony solar units in Ho Chi Minh city;
- Develop policy recommendations for the Ministry of Industry and Trade and EVN, based on pilot data and German experience;
- Research and introduce potential business models to support Viet Nam’s balcony solar market; and
- Organize workshops to share project results and impacts with the community and key stakeholders.
Through its activities, the BSS4VN project is not just a technical project – it serves as a platform for policy dialogue, business innovation, and raising public awareness on renewable energy.
Ms. Luu Thi Thanh Mau, CEO of Phuc Khang Corporation, stated:
“We believe balcony solar is not only a technical solution but also part of our strategy for a green and sustainable lifestyle that we are pursuing. Collaborating with GIZ and international partners underscores our commitment to contributing to the national green growth agenda.”
Mr. Markus Bissel, GIZ Project Director of the BSS4VN, affirmed:
“We are proud to work alongside Phuc Khang Corporation and other partners in implementing the BSS4VN project. Balcony solar is a proven and fast-growing model in Germany, and we believe it holds strong potential for Viet Nam – offering tangible benefits to citizens and communities. GIZ is committed to working closely with partners to bring this model into practice.”
About the Balcony Solar Systems for Viet Nam project (BSS4VN)
The “Balcony Solar Systems for Viet Nam” (BSS4VN) project is implemented by GIZ under the develoPPP programme, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The develoPPP programme is aimed at companies that want to invest sustainably in a developing or emerging country and expand their local operations. Prerequisites for support are a long-term business interest in the country and a sustainable development benefit for the local people. Within this framework, GIZ collaborates with businesses to implement the BSS4VN project, aligning private sector initiatives with Viet Nam’s broader energy and development goals.
The project not only delivers environmental and economic benefits but also contributes to building a sustainable urban energy ecosystem in Viet Nam. Making use of typically unused balcony space for clean energy generation is an innovative solution, well suited to the country’s rapid urbanization and increasing energy-saving demands. Through practical implementation, policy development, and public outreach, BSS4VN project aims to lay the foundation for a widespread balcony solar movement in Viet Nam in the near future.
About Diamond Lotus Riverside and Phuc Khang Corporation
Diamond Lotus Riverside is located at 49C Le Quang Kim, District 8, Ho Chi Minh City. Strategically close – just one bridge away – from District 1, residents enjoy a 7-minute commute to Ben Thanh Market and Bach Dang Wharf, with easy access to six other central districts. It is one of the first high-rise residential developments by Phuc Khang Mitsubishi Corporation Holding (PKMC), a joint venture between Phuc Khang Group and Japan’s Mitsubishi Corporation. The building has earned Gold-level certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED standard (USGBC) and Vietnam Green Building Council’s LOTUS standard (VGBC).
With over 16 years of development, Phuc Khang Corporation is a pioneer in green building development in Viet Nam. Its green buildings are designed, constructed, and operated to meet strict standards on energy efficiency, resource conservation, and ecological integration – providing comfortable living spaces and fostering healthy, vibrant communities.
Participation in the BSS4VN project marks the next step in fulfilling the company’s mission: “Pioneering and promoting better living styles for community health and the environment, in a sustainable manner aligned with global green standards.”
Press contact
Balcony Solar Systems for Viet Nam (BSS4VN)
Ms. Tran Ha Anh, Public Relations & Communications Officer
Email: anh.tran3@giz.de
Tel: +84‑24‑39 41 26 05 Ext. 151
Mobile: +84 (0) 377 352 309
Phuc Khang Corporation
Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Huong, Communications – Marketing Director
Email: huongnn@phuckhang.vn
M: +84 (0) 968 891 179
