TRNC Rooftop Solar: Kıb-Tek Rules and Permits

Short answer: Rooftop solar PV installations in Northern Cyprus (TRNC) are carried out within the framework of the Renewable Energy Law No. 47/2011, the 2017 permits regulation and Kıb-Tek’s General Regulatory Rules for Renewable Energy. According to Kıb-Tek rules, systems up to 200 kWp are connected at low voltage and the single-line diagram is approved by the Chamber of Electrical Engineers; systems above this are connected at medium voltage. After obtaining a generation permit certificate from the Ministry and completing the inspection, the meter is read and net metering begins.

This article has been prepared for villa or detached house owners in the TRNC who are considering installing solar panels on their roof, buyers who ask about solar PV infrastructure when purchasing a new home, and readers who follow energy regulations in the sector. We simplify the rules in official documents and clearly state the points that are not clarified in the documents. We explained today’s electricity tariff and tier limits in our Kıb-Tek electricity tariff 2026 article.

Legal framework for rooftop solar PV in the TRNC

Renewable energy generation in the TRNC is based on a set of legislation consisting of a law, a bylaw, a regulation and Kıb-Tek’s technical rules. The documents listed in the “Legislation and Practices” section on the Renewable Energy Board’s website are as follows:

The Board’s website also includes forms, application tracking and online application sections. You can access the current versions of the documents from the Renewable Energy Board’s legislation page.

Knowing from the outset that more than one institution has a role in the process makes it easier to understand why an application may take time. According to the Kıb-Tek document, the generation permit certificate is obtained from the relevant ministry; grid connectability and inspection are handled by Kıb-Tek’s regional offices; the Chamber of Electrical Engineers approves the single-line diagrams of low-voltage systems; and the installation is carried out by authorised electrical contractors. A missing document in one link of this chain can hold up the entire process. For this reason, when signing a contract with an installation company, it is useful to clarify in writing who will follow up the permit and application procedures and whose delays will affect the timeline.

Application and connection steps under Kıb-Tek rules

Kıb-Tek’s General Regulatory Rules and Processes for Renewable Energy document dated March 2015 explains the process up to the grid connection of a renewable energy system under four headings: file assessment, approval and connectability capacity, inspection fee and commissioning. According to the document, the steps can be summarized as follows:

1. Preparation of the file: The title deed or title deed (koçan) and the site plan, a plan showing the location of the building and panels, and a single-line diagram approved by the Chamber of Electrical Engineers are submitted.
2. Load and capacity assessment: Kıb-Tek regional offices prepare the consumer and load table; the connectability capacity of the local transformer in the area is determined according to Kıb-Tek tables.
3. Kıb-Tek opinion: At the end of the assessment, Kıb-Tek’s positive or negative opinion is written to the relevant ministry.
4. Generation permit certificate and installation: The generation permit certificate obtained from the Ministry is submitted to Kıb-Tek. Solar energy systems to be connected at low-voltage level are installed by a contractor holding a Chamber of Electrical Engineers authorisation certificate and a member of the Cyprus Turkish Electrical Contractors Union, and then submitted for Kıb-Tek inspection.
5. Inspection fee and forms: The inspection fee is determined according to the meter type; the inverter limit notification form is completed.
6. Commissioning: The final reading of the home’s meter is taken, the tariff procedure is completed, and the system is commissioned with net metering initiated.

There is another noteworthy detail in the document: if the meters of subscribers to be included in the renewable energy tariff are mechanical, Kıb-Tek replaces them with electronic meters without charging a fee. The full Kıb-Tek document can be accessed on the Renewable Energy Board website.

The 200 kWp limit and medium-voltage solar PV systems

Kıb-Tek rules define two separate connection routes according to the size of the system. Systems up to 200 kWp are connected at low-voltage (LV) level and their single-line diagrams are approved by the Chamber of Electrical Engineers. Systems above 200 kWp are connected at medium-voltage (MV) level; for these, regional offices open a project file and the single-line diagrams are approved by Kıb-Tek. According to the document, in self-consumption requests outside residential use, the installed capacity is limited by Kıb-Tek’s legally installed capacity and connectability table.

A new technical regulation was introduced on the medium-voltage side in 2026. The announcement of the Kıb-Tek Technical Committee dated 27 February 2026 lists the following conditions for medium-voltage solar PV installations within a certain voltage range: construction of a transformer room at the installation site and connection of the metering unit, selection of low-voltage equipment suitable for the voltage level, submission of the project for Kıb-Tek approval, voltage warning labels on panels, supply of internal loads through the transformer after the metering unit, and the applicant ensuring connection to the Kıb-Tek SCADA system. The full text of the announcement is available on the Kıb-Tek website.

This announcement concerns large-scale installations such as hotels, residential complexes or commercial facilities rather than the rooftop system of a single villa. However, it is an important signal for the sector: as the solar capacity connected to the grid increases, Kıb-Tek is tightening connection and monitoring conditions. In the same year, the institution also published announcements on 26 March 2026 regarding power transformers and on 5 May 2026 regarding the technical specifications of medium-voltage switchgear equipment. If a shared solar PV system is planned for a large residential complex or hotel project, it would be appropriate to ask the contractor about the impact of these technical conditions on the project budget and schedule.

What does net metering mean?

Net metering means that the electricity generated by the panels on the roof is compared with the electricity drawn from the grid, and the bill is calculated based on this difference. Kıb-Tek rules state that when the system is commissioned, net metering is initiated on the residential meter.

The details of the practice, such as whether surplus generation will be carried forward to the next period or paid at a certain rate, and whether net metering will be monthly or annual, are not clearly included in the document we reviewed. For this reason, written information should be obtained from Kıb-Tek before installation. Considering that the residential tariff in the TRNC is tiered and the unit price increases significantly after the first tier, the effect of rooftop generation may be more visible on bills increased by air-conditioning consumption in summer. We discussed the reasons for peak summer consumption in our Cyprus climate and seasons article.

Practical notes for villa and apartment owners

Official rules set the framework, but the installation decision is determined by the type of property and ownership status:

• Title deed and title deed (koçan) requirement: The Kıb-Tek file requires a title deed or title deed (koçan). For a property whose title deed has not yet been transferred, ask in advance who will make the application and which document will be accepted.
• Apartment roof as common area: In multi-unit buildings, the roof is generally considered a common area; for a single owner to install a system, the management plan and the approval of other owners may come into play. We explained the concept of common area in our condominium easement in the TRNC article.
• Authorised installer: Low-voltage systems must be installed by a contractor with a Chamber of Electrical Engineers authorisation certificate and a member of KTEMB. Ask for these documents when obtaining a quote.
• Transformer capacity: If the connectability capacity of the local transformer in the area is full, the application may be delayed or limited; ask the contractor about this in new residential complexes.
• Roof design: If you are buying a new villa, find out whether preparations have been made for the roof orientation suitable for panel placement, load-bearing capacity and cable routes.

To evaluate energy performance as a whole at villa scale, you can review our villa energy and water efficiency inspection guide. Although the natural gas memorandum signed between Türkiye and the TRNC in July 2026 aims to change the island’s generation structure in the long term, under today’s tariff conditions, rooftop solar PV remains one of the direct tools for homeowners to manage their bills.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to install solar panels on my home in the TRNC?

For a grid-connected system, yes. According to Kıb-Tek rules, a file is prepared with a title deed or title deed (koçan), a site plan and a single-line diagram approved by the Chamber of Electrical Engineers; Kıb-Tek’s opinion is forwarded to the ministry; and a generation permit certificate is obtained from the ministry. After installation and Kıb-Tek inspection, the system is commissioned.

Is there a capacity limit for rooftop solar PV?

According to Kıb-Tek rules, systems up to 200 kWp are connected at low voltage, while systems above this are connected at medium voltage. In addition, the connectability capacity of the local transformer in the area is determined according to Kıb-Tek tables, and installed capacity may be limited for self-consumption requests outside residential use. Ask Kıb-Tek before applying about the capacity that will apply to your home.

How does net metering work?

According to Kıb-Tek rules, when the system is commissioned, the final reading of the residential meter is taken and net metering is initiated. The electricity generated by the panels is compared with the electricity drawn from the grid. Learn details such as how surplus generation will be treated in writing from Kıb-Tek before installation.

Who can install solar panels?

According to Kıb-Tek rules, solar energy systems to be connected to the grid at low-voltage level are installed by a contractor holding an authorisation certificate from the Chamber of Electrical Engineers and a member of the Cyprus Turkish Electrical Contractors Union, and then submitted for Kıb-Tek inspection.

Can rooftop solar PV be installed for an apartment?

Since the roof is generally a common area in multi-unit buildings, a single owner’s ability to install a system may depend on the management plan and the approval of the other owners. In addition, a title deed or title deed (koçan) is required in the Kıb-Tek application. Before making a decision, consult your site management and your lawyer.

If you would like to evaluate the energy infrastructure and solar PV suitability of a villa you are considering purchasing, you can contact the Akol Global team; let us answer your questions with concrete information.

This article is for informational purposes only; it does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice. Last updated: October 2026.