NEWS & CSR

Energy Savings in Textile Factories through Solar Power Technology (PLTS)

13 Des 2025 | News Category: Technology

Before exploring the technical benefits, let us first look at a reality faced by many textile factories today: rising electricity costs have made efficiency no longer a choice, but a strategic necessity. Amid global competition and the growing push toward clean energy, the adoption of PLTS (Solar Power Plants) has become a tangible solution increasingly considered by industry players to maintain competitiveness.

This article will help you understand how solar power technology can deliver significant energy savings, particularly for energy-intensive textile and spinning factories.

Energy Challenges in the Textile and Spinning Industry

Electricity Costs as the Second-Largest Production Expense

In the textile and spinning industry, electricity consumption is extremely high, especially due to high-speed machinery. As a result, electricity costs represent the second-largest component of production costs, after raw materials.

Efficiency Measures Already Implemented

To reduce energy expenses, factories typically implement:

Production machines with lower energy consumption per output
Substitution of energy sources with more cost-effective alternatives
Reduction of energy losses in electrical equipment and installations
Process automation to ensure more precise and controlled energy usage

Global & National Trends Toward Renewable Energy

Expansion of Solar Energy in Indonesia

The adoption of rooftop solar power in Indonesia continues to grow. As of July 2025, installed rooftop solar capacity reached 538 MWp across 10,882 PLN customers, with a target of 1,000 MWp by the end of 2025.

The Role of Solar Energy in the Clean Energy Transition

The Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) states that rooftop solar development is a key driver of the clean energy transition, with a national target of 17.1 GW of solar capacity outlined in PLN’s RUPTL 2025–2034.

Globally, countries are moving away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy. Indonesian industries cannot remain passive if they wish to stay competitive. Many buyers from Europe and the United States now require the use of renewable energy as an export prerequisite—particularly in the textile industry, which carries a relatively high carbon footprint.

Solar Energy Costs vs. PLN Electricity Tariffs

Solar Energy Becomes Increasingly Competitive

According to the latest IRENA report, the global average cost of solar energy was approximately USD 0.043/kWh in 2024, making it one of the most economically competitive energy sources compared to fossil fuels.

Energy Cost-Saving Potential for Industry

Indonesia’s 2026 solar energy market outlook indicates that solar power costs range between IDR 862–1,099 per kWh, significantly lower than industrial electricity tariffs from PLN in Java, which average IDR 1,400–1,800 per kWh. This translates into potential savings of IDR 301–938 per kWh (approximately USD 0.019–0.060 per kWh).

Solar Energy Regulations & Policy Direction in Indonesia

Government Support for Rooftop Solar

Through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), the Indonesian government actively encourages rooftop solar adoption for both residential and industrial users, including efforts to simplify permitting processes and revise regulations to accelerate implementation.

However, for On-Grid systems, challenges remain:

Installation quotas imposed by PLN
A requirement for solar systems to be operational within six months after quota approval

Off-Grid Systems and Licensing Flexibility

For Off-Grid solar systems, no PLN quota is required. Factories only need to prepare:

Operational permits from the Provincial ESDM Office
NIDI
SLO issued by a third-party inspector
Approval from the Ministry of ESDM

National Solar Capacity Targets

The government plans to develop 3.61 GW of rooftop solar capacity by 2025, alongside expansions in utility-scale and floating solar power projects across various regions.

Challenges & Solutions in Solar Power Implementation

High Battery Costs

Off-Grid solar systems are highly efficient as they allow the use of solar energy around the clock. However, their adoption is constrained by the high cost of energy storage batteries.

Proposed Solutions

Industry players expect government support in the form of incentives, tax reductions, and other policy measures to help lower battery costs and make the technology more accessible.

Profile of Danar Mas Banjaran Factory

Location and Operational Scale

DMC Banjaran is located in Tarajusari Village, Banjaran District, Bandung Regency.

Production Capacity and Machinery

Daily output: 450 bales
Total spindles: 113,640

At this scale, energy efficiency has a direct impact on overall competitiveness.

Types of Solar Installations at DMC Banjaran

Rooftop Solar – On-Grid System

DMC utilizes a rooftop solar (On-Grid) system connected to the PLN grid, maximizing rooftop space to generate clean energy.

Ground-Mounted Solar Potential

Approximately 20,000 m² of land is available for potential ground-mounted solar installations. However, this option requires an AMDAL (Environmental Impact Assessment) in accordance with Ministry of Environment regulations.

Positive Environmental Impact

Contribution to Indonesia’s Net Zero 2060 Target

With a solar capacity of 4,500 kWp (DC) or 3,600 kVA (AC), DMC successfully reduces CO₂ emissions by approximately 5,000 tons per year. The larger the installed solar capacity, the greater the contribution toward Indonesia’s Net Zero Emission 2060 target.

The use of solar power in spinning and textile factories is not only about energy cost savings—it is a strategic move to strengthen global competitiveness, support sustainability, and achieve long-term efficiency. With lower energy costs, reduced emissions, and increasing international market demands, solar technology is becoming increasingly relevant for Indonesia’s textile industry.