Is solar energy a solution for rural areas in Malaysia?

by AZALEA AZUAR & HIDAYATH HISHAM RURAL areas often lack access to basic needs such as clean electricity but with Malaysia’s all-year-round sunlight, renewable solar energy is a solution. One of the National Energy Policy 2022 to 2024’s (NEP) initiatives is to supply electricity to rural areas to improve the communities’ socio-economic activities.

Is solar power a good idea in Malaysia?

Malaysia is making progress in solar energy, with initiatives like the Large Scale Solar (LSS) projects and Net Energy Metering (NEM) scheme leading the way. But while cities and big businesses are starting to adopt solar power, rural communities are being left behind. For many villages, reliable electricity is still out of reach.

Can solar power transform rural Malaysia?

But while cities and big businesses are starting to adopt solar power, rural communities are being left behind. For many villages, reliable electricity is still out of reach. Solar energy isn’t just for urban areas. It has the potential to transform rural Malaysia too. Let’s explore how solar power can light up the lives of rural Malaysians.

How much do solar panels cost in East Malaysia?

A household in rural areas generally requires 2,000 watts of solar panels, which cost RM7,500 without the battery. Moreover, logistics in East Malaysia are challenging since most of the goods come from Peninsular Malaysia instead of Kota Kinabalu or Kuching. Therefore, delivery costs to the region increased by 20%.

How do solar energy systems work in Malaysia?

Currently, Malaysia’s solar energy systems are primarily dominated by grid-connected systems. Grid-connected systems are directly tied to the local electricity grid, which allows excess energy to be sent back into the power grid for use elsewhere. This is what most urban and utility-scale facilities use.

Why is solar photovoltaic (PV) growing in Malaysia?

However, compared to most RE technologies, recent developments in solar photovoltaic (PV) systems have led to its phenomenal growth in Malaysia and across nations (Sreenath et al., 2020a, 2020b). Malaysia experiences hot and humid weather with a generous amount of rainfall all year round due to its geographic location.