If you lease an industrial property from JTC, solar may already be part of your lease planning, whether you realise it or not. JTC has clear rules around when solar deployment is mandatory, when it is voluntary, and what kind of approvals are needed before a system can go on your roof. For many leaseholders, the challenge is not whether solar is a good idea, but how to understand the requirements without getting lost in legal wording.
This article explains the key points in plain language so that operations managers, facilities teams, and business owners can plan properly and avoid delays later.
TL;DR – key takeaways for JTC solar requirements
- JTC may require solar for sites with at least 800 sqm of available contiguous rooftop area and 15 years or more remaining lease term.
- If your site does not meet those thresholds, solar can still be installed voluntarily.
- JTC offers three models: rooftop licensing, solar leasing, and direct ownership.
- Even when consent is not needed for voluntary solar deployment, you still need JTC approval for additions and alterations to the land or land-based facilities.
- For mandatory solar deployment, you must submit plans during endorsement and later provide as-built plans showing the installed area.
- If your lease is ending soon, the solar equipment must be removed in time before expiry, or by JTC’s notice period if applicable.
What JTC is trying to achieve
JTC’s approach to solar is not just about energy savings. It is part of a wider effort to support Singapore’s sustainability goals while making better use of industrial rooftops. In practice, that means JTC encourages lessees to deploy solar wherever the site is suitable, and in some cases requires it as part of new leases, lease renewals, assignments, or redevelopment.
For a leaseholder, this means solar should be treated as an early planning item, not a last-minute add-on. If your property qualifies, solar may need to be considered alongside lease renewal timelines, building works, and operational changes.
When solar becomes mandatory
JTC states that solar deployment is mandatory for new and renewed land and land-based facilities, and also on assignment, transfer, or redevelopment in certain cases. The key site conditions are whether
• the property has at least 800 sqm of available contiguous rooftop area
• 15 years or more of remaining lease term
The “contiguous rooftop area” point matters because not every square metre of roof is usable. Areas blocked by technical or regulatory constraints, or areas that cannot physically support PV panels, may be excluded when JTC assesses the site. If your rooftop is fragmented or partially occupied by equipment, your practical solar capacity may be lower than the raw roof size suggests.
If your site does not meet the threshold
Not every JTC leaseholder will fall under mandatory deployment. If your site does not have enough usable roof area or enough remaining lease term, solar can still be done voluntarily. In that case, you can choose a deployment model that fits your business and lease situation.
JTC says lessees do not need to apply for consent for voluntary solar deployment from 1 December 2022, but they still need consent for any additions and alterations to the land or land-based facilities. That means the solar decision may be “optional,” but the building works around it may still need approval.
The three solar deployment models
JTC recognises three solar deployment models: rooftop licensing, solar leasing, and direct ownership.
- Direct Ownership (CapEx): You buy the system. You keep 100% of the energy savings and any exported revenue. This offers the highest ROI but requires upfront capital.
- Solar Leasing (PPA): A vendor installs and maintains the system. You pay nothing upfront and simply buy the solar electricity at a discount compared to the grid.
- Rooftop Licensing: You "rent" your roof to a vendor. They pay you a small rental fee and export the power to the grid.
What approvals and documents matter
Even when a solar system is technically possible, approval and documentation are still important. For mandatory deployment, JTC requires proposed plans during plan endorsement, showing the total installation area for PV panels. Later, as-built plans must be submitted, and the final installed area should meet or exceed the declared area.
If your project involves voluntary deployment, JTC still expects you to make sure the works comply with applicable laws and lease obligations. In addition, the solar vendor can only occupy the area for the PV panels and supporting equipment, and the lessee remains responsible for ensuring compliance with JTC’s requirements.
What happens near lease expiry
This is one of the most important points for leaseholders to understand. JTC says any voluntary solar deployment area must be vacated by 6 months before lease expiry or within 6 months of written notice if JTC requires termination of the arrangement, whichever comes earlier. Any panels left behind after those dates may be removed or disposed of by JTC, and the lessee may be liable.
That means solar planning should always consider the remaining lease period. If the lease is short, or if renewal is uncertain, the economics and installation timeline need to be reviewed carefully before committing to a system.
Why timing matters for lease renewal
JTC’s lease renewal handbook shows that renewal applications typically need to be submitted 6 years and no later than 3 years before expiry. That renewal timing is important because your solar plan and your lease plan should be aligned. If you are considering solar, it makes sense to think about it at the same time you are reviewing renewal, redevelopment, and capex commitments.
If solar is required for your site, it may affect your investment plan, roof design, and submission timeline. If solar is optional, it still may make sense financially, but only if the remaining lease term supports the payback period.
FAQ - JTC solar requirements
Q. Does every JTC site need solar?
A: No. Solar is mandatory only when the site meets JTC’s conditions, including 800 sqm of available contiguous rooftop area and 15 years or more remaining lease term. If it does not meet those conditions, you may still choose to deploy solar voluntarily.
Q: Do I need JTC approval for voluntary solar?
A: You do not need to apply for consent specifically for voluntary solar deployment, but you still need JTC’s consent for any additions and alterations to JTC land and land-based facilities. If you engage a solar EPC with turnkey services (like Eigen Energy), the company will takeover this process for you.
Q: What solar model should I choose?
A: That depends on your business goals. If you want to monetise the roof, rooftop licensing may suit you; if you want lower electricity costs without ownership, solar leasing may be better; if you want full control and asset ownership, direct ownership is the most flexible model.
Q: What happens if my lease ends soon?
A: JTC requires solar equipment to be removed by 6 months before lease expiry or within 6 months of notice, whichever comes earlier. If your lease is short, solar may not make financial sense unless the project is structured carefully.
Q: What documents will JTC want?
A: For mandatory deployment, JTC requires proposed plans during endorsement and later as-built plans confirming the final installation area. For lease renewal, JTC also asks for business plans, investment plans, land use details, and other supporting documents.
Q: Am I constrained to the 3 partners listed in JTC’s SolarRoof programme?
A: No, you are free to engage solar providers beyond the 3 options.
If your business is on a JTC site, solar should be part of your lease planning conversation early, not after the building works are already decided. Understanding whether your site falls under mandatory deployment, which solar model fits best, and how the lease timeline affects your investment can save a lot of time and cost later.
If you are reviewing a JTC lease, Eigen Energy can help assess your rooftop, explain the deployment options in practical terms, and map out the solar pathway that fits your lease term and operational needs. Click here to connect with a solar expert: Contact us
