February 17, 2023 by Kelmynn 0 Comments

Local Malaysian company Verdant Solar becomes Malaysia’s largest residential solar provider

February 12, 2023 by Kelmynn 0 Comments

4 Steps To Avoid Nightmares From Solar PV Providers

Those of you who have decided to install solar panels worry about one common factor. How can I avoid choosing the wrong solar PV provider

As we all know, installing solar panels is not cheap. It needs at least five figures in Malaysian ringgit for the investment. Hence, it is worth your time and effort to find a trustworthy solar PV provider. Here are some simple tips on how to avoid nightmares from solar PV providers in Malaysia.

Research and compare solar PV providers.

The first thing you have to do is research and compare multiple solar PV providers. Always remember to check their certifications and credentials. Plus, you can always read their customer reviews and references online. You will learn more about a company’s services through customer reviews. Do not forget to consider panel efficiency and durability. When you are doing your research, look into financing and cost options. Assess the company’s experience and expertise. If there’s anything on insurance, verify the insurance and bonding status.

Reputation, Service, and Efficiency

The main factors you have to consider are a company’s reputation, service, and efficiency. The company you choose should also have positive customer feedback. Fortunately for you, here at Verdant Solar, we have all the boxes checked. 

Verdant Solar has the outstanding report for the most 5-star Google reviews, which include reputation, the guarantee to deliver world-class service, 30-day speed installation guaranteed, and the promise to provide zero defects in solar installation.

Meet the solar consultant.

While doing your research and finding the best solar PV provider, you, as a customer, must have had consultations. Some of you might think that price is everything and that you only need to know the price before installation. That is not the case. A solar panel has a lifespan of more than 25 years. It is important to select a responsible solar PV service provider to serve you and provide relevant services for that long period of time. 

Arrange a time to meet with the solar consultant in person! Before the installation, make sure you understand the entire solar installation process.

Ask the right questions to your solar PV provider.

What are the right questions you should ask during consultations? Always remember that you are the customer. That being said, you have all the freedom to ask anything that would clear your doubts about solar PV installation. Now, here are some important questions that can be asked and will also be beneficial to you as a customer.

1. What are the efficiency and warranty of solar panels?

2. Can you walk me through the system design and installation process?

3. How much of the TNB bill is expected to be saved?

4. How do you handle maintenance and repair services?

5. What are the financing and cost options available?

6. Can you explain the interconnection and grid integration process?

7. What incentives and regulations apply to my area?

8. Do you offer energy storage solutions?

9. Can you provide a detailed quote and timeline for the project?

A good solar PV provider will take good care of their customers. These are the things you can expect from a solar company. a thorough site survey and drone shots from different angles so you get the full picture of your rooftop, and the company will also explain your rooftop conditions and the number of solar panels you can install—or even if your roof is suitable for solar panel installation. You should also expect reports on the survey, quotations, and the design of the panels so that you will know what they look like. You can also talk to your provider about interconnection and grid integration, government incentives and regulations, and energy storage options. 

Looking for a solar PV provider? Here at Verdant Solar, we cover your solar applications from head to toe. What makes it even better? It’s all FOC! Customers will not have to take the time and trouble to fill out forms and apply. Even if the application is declined, we will fully return your deposit.

Understand your investment

Besides all that, a good solar company would assess the electrical system and wiring. They would also discuss maintenance and repair services, then give you a review of the project timeline and estimated costs. Some of the other things a good solar PV provider would do are explain the local incentives and regulations, talk about energy usage and savings goals, and discuss warranty and customer support. 

Other vital aspects a customer such as yourself should know before installation are the payment method, the exact number of panels to be installed, and the exact price. You should understand what the company has to offer. A good solar company would lay everything out on the table. They should be transparent and precise with what they have to say, just like how we do it here at Verdant Solar.

Conclusion

So if you’re still looking for your best solar PV provider, it’s time you turned to Verdant Solar! We are one call away, and you will have a free consultation with some of our most experienced workers who have been in this field for many years. Verdant Solar will be right here, ready to turn your nightmares into sweet dreams or, better yet, a wonderful real-life experience.

January 26, 2023 by Kelmynn 0 Comments

Renewable Energy Scheme in Malaysia

Renewable Energy Resources

Malaysia is seen as being more than serious about increasing electricity generation from renewable energy resources. This was especially seen when our government introduced the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) scheme under the Renewable Energy Act in 2011. 

Under this scheme, commercial and residential electricity customers can generate electricity from renewable energy, like solar energy, and sell all the generated energy to Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), the sole electricity utility in Malaysia. However, due to the high cost of funding such a scheme, the FIT scheme is not long-term sustainable. Because of that, in 2016, the government introduced net energy metering (NEM), named NEM 2016.

According to research papers, unlike FIT, where the customers are paid for the gross renewable energy generated from PV, NEM only considers the net energy generated. The customer will be paid based on the displaced cost per kWh unit. 

Unfortunately, NEM 2016 did not receive the target response from electricity customers in Malaysia due to unappealing financial returns. The displaced cost for a RE connection point less than 1 kV is RM 0.31/kWh. This rate does not benefit large consumers since they are paying a higher electricity tariff. To overcome the problem, our government introduced a new NEM scheme in 2019 by setting the pay rate at the retail rate per kWh of energy exported to the grid.

Net Energy Meter

Based on case studies, this policy has a better financial return than NEM 2016. For commercial and industrial systems, the maximum capacity of the PV system installed is 1 MW, or 75% of the maximum demand (MD) of their existing installation, or 60% of the fuse rating of the transformer.

For domestic or residential consumers, the maximum capacity of the PV systems installed is less than or equal to 12 kW for a single-phase system or 72 kW for a three-phase system. As mentioned before, NEM 3.0 consists of three programs, each of which is assigned to a specific market sector. NEM Rakyat (households), NEM NOVA (industrial), and NEM GoMEn (government ministries and entities).

NEM Rakyat

The first programme, NEM Rakyat, covers the residential segment. A 100-MW capacity is allocated to this programme, effective February 1, 2021. The programme applies the one-to-one NEM 3.0 policy for 10 years. The allowed maximum PV installation capacity for the domestic consumer is 4 and 10 kW for single-phase and three-phase NEM consumers, respectively. This programme benefits people a great deal. Plus, it is so vital for the environment today, especially since we are facing global warming issues.

Let’s apply to NEM 3.0 before it runs out of quota! Read here to understand why NEM 3.0 is running out of quota. 

January 26, 2023 by Kelmynn 0 Comments

Is NEM 3.0 Coming To An End? Yes! Grab Yours Before It Runs Out Of Quota!

Did you know that NEM 3.0 is coming to an end?

NEM 3.0 is only available from 2021 to 2023. So yes! Time is running out!

Why must NEM 3.0 come to an end? The answer is quite simple. It is because our government’s quota is running out, and the deadline is set to end at the end of the year. This period was given so that the Malaysian government could analyse and study the participation of residential, commercial, and industrial consumers as well as public entities and government ministries. 

Our government is slowly encouraging Malaysians to make use of solar energy. If more Malaysians decide to use solar power, our government might introduce new and improved programmes in the future.

Together we save the Earth

As you all know, the implementation of solar power has been greatly encouraged due to its influence on reducing carbon emissions. Thus, measuring the environmental benefit of using solar energy instead of fossil fuels is important. 

The rationale behind the carbon footprint tool is that the electricity generated by the photovoltaic system will replace the same amount of electricity in the existing grid. If the carbon footprint of the electricity generation on the grid is greater than that of the PV system per kWh, carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced. 

What’s Next?

At the mention of the future, all of us are wondering the same thing. What’s next? What comes after NEM 3.0? Will there be a NEM 4.0? The answer is that we do not know. We will have to wait for our government to announce its new programme. We do not know what it will be called. With the new programme come new policies for solar installation and solar-powered homes. Whether the policies we have now would remain or be discontinued is still a mystery. That is why we have to make use of NEM 3.0!

What can we do now? If you are a homeowner who wants to install solar panels, be quick to decide before the programme runs out of its quota! There’s not much of it left, and you’re running out of time! A good piece of advice would be for you to engage with Verdant Solar. You are guaranteed to receive a fast response. We at Verdant Solar are known for our efficiency. We carry out installations quickly and effortlessly. We aim to only give you the best. 

Grab the opportunity

If you think you’re too late for NEM 3.0, we are here to help. Apply to us so that we can help you queue for the next NEM. We will help you with the paperwork, so when the next NEM starts, you’ll already be on our list! 

Based on past research, there is one more important note you should all take. NEM ALWAYS exhausts its quota BEFORE the deadline. So if you’re thinking about researching this, why not let the professionals clear all your doubts for you? Contact us at Verdant Solar for a better understanding!

Up to 90% TNB Bill Reduction After Solar Panel Installation – Why and How?

TNB bill reduction after solar panel installation

You’ve all heard of the term “Installing solar panels will help reduce your TNB bill.” It is reasonable for us to be sceptical of products that proudly ensure that by purchasing them, you will be “saving a lot of money.” We’d have no idea which of today’s trendy technologies benefits us with so much available. Solar panels are no different. They claim to be saving money by reducing your electric bills, which is one of their main appeals. Do they really? 

Fortunately for all of you out there, that’s true! The question is: how and why? Does it reduce the same amount for everyone? Why is the percentage of reduction different? 

NEM Rakyat 3.0

To understand it better, you can read up on our NEM 3.0 article to learn more about the packages that were introduced by our government. In the meantime, here’s a brief explanation. 

NEM is one of the options for you to generate electricity from your own solar PV system and offset the remaining solar energy from TNB to reduce your electricity bills. According to TNB, this system is designed to provide you with credit for any excess solar energy you generate. It is then used to offset your next electricity bill. This way, you can save money on your electricity bills while also protecting yourself from future price increases. Even better, you will become a part of the clean energy movement to reduce the effects of climate change! 

The government launched the Net Energy Metering (NEM) programme in 2016 in order to increase the use of solar power. The programme allowed excess solar power to flow back into the grid on a “one-on-one” offset basis. That’s where its popularity picked up, as excess power could be sold back to TNB. 

Not long after NEM and NEM 2.0, NEM 3.0 was introduced and will be available from 2021 to 2023. This programme has an allocated quota of 100 MW for the people, and it’s called NEM Rakyat. Once the solar energy generates the electricity and is used, the excess can be offset on a one-on-one basis. None of the energy or money will go to waste. People can save up to 90% every month in the long run. While saving money, we also get to practice an eco-friendly lifestyle!

Why is your TNB bill reduced by up to 90%?

Some of you might still be wondering how much the monthly TNB bill will be reduced. That actually depends on a few points. Before we dive into the details, understand the 6 things you must know before installing solar panels

1. Average Monthly TNB Bill

Firstly, determine your average monthly TNB bill before installing solar panels. To ensure your solar investment is worthwhile and makes sense, we always encourage our clients to install only when their TNB bills are more than RM200. If your monthly TNB bill is on average lower than RM200, ask yourself if you are expecting higher TNB bills in the future. For example, more electric appliances that will be installed in the future or more family members staying at the house could contribute to a higher TNB bill in the future. 

You might be interested to know if installing solar panels is worthwhile for you. Read here to understand better!

2. Roof Condition

The second would be your roof condition, which includes the roof size. Roof condition is so important to determine the number of panels that can be installed and the design of panels on the rooftop. Other than that, we also need to know if your roof condition is good enough to support the panels. 

It might sound technical and complicated to you. Worry not, our solar consultants are here to assist you! We will evaluate and survey your roof with our drone shots, which will be included in the site survey report so that you can also know your roof condition. Learn more about the procedures here

3. The number of panels to be installed

With your average monthly TNB bill and your roof size, we can roughly estimate the number of panels that need to be installed in order to get an ideal savings and a reasonable return on investment. 

Before diving into tailored solutions and customised packages, we frequently offer standard solutions at the start of the site survey so that you have a better understanding of your house conditions as well as the electricity consumption and savings. 

4. Your buying power

As mentioned above, the number of panels depends on the size of the roof. Other than that, it also depends on the amount of TNB bill you want to save and the budget you have to install solar panels. 

Here is one of the examples: Mr. Raja has an average TNB bill of around RM300 to RM400; the number of panels we would recommend is around 9. The average cost of 9 solar panels is around RM20,500. If you have a lower budget to install, you can always discuss with our solar consultant about getting fewer panels; if you have a higher budget and wish to save more on your bill, you can also consider installing more solar panels. We always encourage our clients to communicate with us in order to get more tailored solutions. 

These are the reasons why the reduction in the bill is different for every user. Some of you might get a 90% or 100% reduction, while others get 50% or less.

Conclusion

It is always better not to compare yourself with others because every home has different conditions. Instead of comparing your bills to those of others, compare them to your previous TNB bills and how much you have saved. Calculate the savings from now to the future; you’ll be surprised at how much you’ll be saving!

For more information, you know who to call. Always remember, we at Verdant Solar provide free consultations. If you want to go solar, now is always the best time! We can’t wait to hear from you! 

January 13, 2023 by Kelmynn 0 Comments

Solar-Powered Home – 5 Things You Should Know About Before Installation vs. After Installation

What is a Solar-Powered Home?

What does it actually mean to have a solar-powered home? Solar power is a clean, renewable source of energy that can reduce or eliminate a home’s reliance on fossil fuels. 

A solar-powered home is a residence that relies on photovoltaic panels to generate electricity from sunlight. The panels are installed on the roof. The electricity generated by the panels is used to power the home’s appliances, lighting, and other electrical devices. Anyone with landed property, such as semi-detached houses, terrace houses, bungalows, and so on, is eligible to own a solar-powered home.

Solar-powered homes before and after installation

Now, what is the difference between a solar-powered home before and after installation? Let’s break it down.

Source of electricity

The main difference between a solar-powered home and a non-solar-powered home is the source of electricity. A solar-powered home generates electricity using photovoltaic panels, while a non-solar-powered home typically gets electricity from TNB.

Besides that, a home with solar panels installed may be more self-sufficient when it comes to energy. While a regular home is connected to TNB, a solar-powered home may be able to generate all or most of its own electricity, depending on the size of the solar panel array and the energy needs of the home.

The difference in TNB bills

Another difference is that you can protect yourself from rising energy costs by installing a solar panel system. So, when you invest in solar panels for your home, you will be ensuring that your finances are not affected by the increase in electricity costs. 

Also, you will save up to 90% on your TNB bill, depending on the number of solar panels installed. 

The comfortableness of your home

When you have a solar-powered home, you will not need to worry about the high TNB bills or think twice before using your air conditioner for too long or using any extra electrical appliances. 

Many of you sacrifice your comfort just to save or lower a small amount on your electricity bill, living in stuffy conditions for this reason. With the installation of solar panels, you no longer have to worry so much! 

Your contribution to the environment

Apart from reducing your costs, you will also be using green energy to decrease pollution. Solar energy is a renewable resource that plays a significant role in lowering greenhouse gas emissions and preventing climate change, which is essential for safeguarding people, animals, and ecosystems. Solar energy can also be used to reduce water consumption and improve air quality.

Hence, if you choose to own a solar-powered home, you are helping to make the environment better!

The difference in property value

Last but not least, let us reveal a benefit of installing solar panels for your home that few people discuss… Your rooftop will be protected! Surprised? 

There is a myth that solar panels are bad for your roof, usually in regards to holes or water leaks. But the truth is, solar panel installation does not create major holes in your roof, and it provides a thin layer of protection that provides a cooling effect and bad weather protection on the roof of your solar-powered home, thus increasing your property value. Homes with solar panels installed do sell for a higher price!

Conclusion

If you would like to know more about the difference between a well-solar-powered home and a regular home, you know where to go! Call us at Verdant Solar; we always strive to deliver world-class solar solutions and a top-notch experience to our clients. We also have a vision of a world with 100% reliance on renewable energy. 

Also, never forget that any consultation with us is totally free! We’ll be here to answer any questions you may have and to guide you so that you only get the best!

January 5, 2023 by Kelmynn 0 Comments

The More Solar Panels The Better? NO! 4 Reasons Why.

The more solar panels, the better?

Solar panels are a renewable energy technology that converts sunlight into electrical energy. It’s also a green technology that produces zero pollution, but is it like all good things? The more, the better? Some of you might be surprised by the answer, but it’s a NO. If we are talking about rooftop solar panels, there are a few factors to consider before doing anything.

Factors to consider for the number of solar panels

First and foremost, your house’s roof condition plays an important role here. In order to install your desired amount of solar panels, you will need to have enough space on your roof or property to install them. Hence, do not reject having your solar consultant visit your home. Let them fly the drone and have some drone shots on your roof.

Next would be the cost of solar panels. It is important to consider your budget when deciding how many solar panels to install because they can vary significantly. In general, solar panels cost from RM19k to more than RM50k. So be prepared to have roughly this range of budget before you consider installing. 

To know the exact cost of your solar panels, you must also know your electricity needs. Consider your current and future electricity needs when deciding how many panels to install. If you have a large home with high energy needs, you may need more panels than if you have a smaller home with lower energy needs. 

Aside: solar panel installation is not recommended if your monthly electricity bill is less than RM200. Let’s think about this question: is it possible that you’ll use more than RM200 a month if you don’t need to worry about the bills? If the answer is yes, congratulations! You can be part of the solar energy journey with us. If the answer is no, we strongly advise you not to install the system because you will not see significant savings and the payback period will be longer.

Disadvantages of having too many solar panels

One of the few disadvantages of having too many solar panels is that you cannot use all your excess electricity and have to send the excess electricity back to the power company. It is important to understand your unique situation and then determine how many solar panels you should get for your solar panel installations. If not, the ROI will not make much sense to you.

What is next?

Once you know how much your energy consumption is and how much roof area is available for solar panels to be installed, you need to calculate how many solar panels you need to buy for full-capacity solar energy systems. You can install as many solar panels as it takes to cover your entire roof, but that’s not the best way to go about it. 

The solar panels are connected in series. This means that connecting them in parallel will double your total output. You can determine how many panels you should buy by dividing the total wattage required for your home by the number of watts a solar panel can produce, or you can just get a solar consultant to do a free site survey on your house and ask him to do the calculations. 

It is important to know as much as possible before any installation.

Why is it not better to have more solar panels?

You may have a hard time understanding this concept. Sunlight is abundant, and it never runs out, right? So why shouldn’t we capture as much of it as possible? To get a better understanding of this question, you’ll need a consultation with solar energy consultants. 

Nonetheless, let us talk about the system balance point. The balance point of a solar system is defined as the point at which there is enough solar power being generated to offset all of the loads in an average day. This number varies; for example, in some systems, it falls between 3 and 6kW worth of solar power production capacity. Beyond that, your system will be producing more electricity than you’re using, meaning that some of that power will be sending unused energy back into the grid.

Wiring is also very important. If you’ve already got a system installed with proper wire sizing, adding another 2kW or even 1kW is typically plug-and-play. When you try to add more than that, complications will arise because you may not have properly planned your installation from the start.

Last but not least

And probably the most important thing is that you must choose a good consultant before installation. Here at Verdant Solar, we only provide the best. So if you’re looking for a solar installation company, we are right there, only a phone call away. We are equipped with knowledgeable, expert consultants with years of experience. What’s more awesome? A consultation with Verdant Solar is totally free! We will let you know everything you need to know about installing solar panels so you don’t make any mistakes! Sign up here to get a free site survey.

Installing Solar Panels Increases Your Property Value? Yes, It Does!

Have you ever wondered if installing solar panels increases property value? 

The house is future-proofed by installing solar panels

Installing solar panels is a modern, progressive addition to a house. A preinstalled solar system is a huge bonus that promises reduced power bills for these buyers and the sense that their new home is future-proofed. Solar panels not only allow you to reduce your carbon footprint and save on energy costs in the long term, but they can also raise the value of a home and make it more appealing to future buyers. In some cases, the cost savings from using solar energy can offset the upfront cost of installing the panels. Isn’t that amazing? So, installing solar panels does increase your property value!

Installing solar panels is energy efficient

As we know now, installing solar panels is a good idea for everyone. Solar panels can provide a clean and renewable source of energy. Installing solar panels on your landed property would be energy efficient. Plus, there are also the government incentives that many of you are now aware of. There are incentives offered for solar-powered homes, such as tax credits or rebates. This can make your home more appealing to buyers who are looking for energy-efficient options.

Solar-powered home demand increased

Furthermore, an increase in demand will always be there. As solar technology becomes more widespread, there may be an increased demand for homes with solar panels. The age of your solar system is also important. They usually last for 25 to 35 years, possibly 40 years if they’re in optimal condition (some even said it is possible to make them last more than 100 years if they are handled well). So, homes with newer solar systems will provide more years of future use than a house with a system that’s 10 or more years old. This can drive up the value of your home. 

Conclusion

It’s important to note the extent to which installing solar panels will increase the value of your property. This includes the local real estate market and the size and efficiency of your solar panel system. Your geographical location also plays an important role. So, it’s a good idea to do some research and talk to a real estate agent or appraiser to get a better sense of how solar panels may impact the value of your home. While you do that, don’t forget that you can always call us at Verdant Solar to get a free consultation. We’ll explain everything you need to know, so grab your phones!

December 24, 2022 by Kelmynn 0 Comments

Why Go Solar? 4 Reasons Why You Should Go Solar

Considering switching to solar power? You must be wondering why we should go solar. Let’s read more to know the whys! 

We already know the basic good it could do, like saving the environment or lowering your electricity bills. However, here are some MAJOR advantages to going solar!

Go Solar Home Increase Your Home’s Value

One of the main advantages is that it increases your home’s value. Many research findings show that home buyers consistently pay more for homes with solar installed. In fact, homeowners who invested in solar made back at least as much as they spent buying the system. Plus, homes with solar installed spend less time on the market. So, even if you were contemplating moving within the next few years, solar would still be a worthwhile purchase. Not to mention, you’ll save money on energy costs before the move, too.

Make a smart investment

Another reason you should go solar is simply because it is a smart investment.

Homeowners typically generate a return on investment of between 10-20% on their residential solar energy system. This is a payback period of only 5-10 years on a system that will last 25-30 years. Who wouldn’t want that?

If you were to invest in the stock market, getting that type of return on your investment would be considered out of this world. Stocks and shares go up and down; the return on investment from a solar system could also be said to have a much lower risk profile. 

It is certain that you will continue to use electricity, and so the investment income from solar (in the form of electricity bill savings) is very secure and reliable. This should not be overlooked by people considering the investment case for a home solar system.

Go Solar Go Green

If you would personally like to contribute to our beloved environment, you should always remember that solar is good for the environment. Solar power doesn’t pollute the air or produce Greenhouse gases. It replaces other non-renewable power sources such as oil, gas, and coal, and using a renewable energy source stops the need to use fossil fuels to generate our electricity.

Cost Savings Go Solar

Now let’s take a look at cost savings. Switching to solar energy can significantly reduce your electricity bills, especially if you live in an area with high electricity rates. Solar energy systems allow you to generate your own electricity, which can be especially valuable in areas with unreliable or expensive grid-based electricity. Furthermore, solar panels are durable and require minimal maintenance, so they can provide reliable electricity for many years. Meanwhile, Verdant Solar is providing product warranties up to 25 years.

Conclusion

Overall, going solar can be a smart and cost-effective choice for individuals and businesses looking to reduce their energy costs and their environmental impact.

Solar energy is considered a better energy source for several other reasons. It is abundant and widely available. Besides, solar energy is available almost everywhere on Earth, and there is an almost limitless supply of it. It can increase energy independence. Solar energy systems allow individuals and businesses to generate their own electricity, which can be especially valuable in areas with unreliable or expensive grid-based electricity.

Switching to a solar-powered home has many benefits and is a good choice for those looking to reduce their energy costs and their environmental impact. Since solar energy is the way forwards, stop hesitating and go solar!

December 23, 2022 by Kelmynn 0 Comments

How is Solar Energy In Malaysia – 4 Things You Should Know About

How much do you understand about solar energy in Malaysia? Most of you know that solar energy begins with the sun. Solar panels are also known as “PV panels,” and they are used to convert light energy from the sun to electrical energy. Read here to learn more about how solar energy is produced!

So how is solar energy in Malaysia?

The development of solar technology actually dates back more than 100 years. Edmund Becquerel discovered the “photovoltaic effect,” which would allow the conversion of sunlight into solar electric energy. His discovery led to the invention of  a genuine solar cell by Charles Fritts. This sparked a series of technological advances, including selenium-gold panels, slick silicon solar PV panels, and what we have today.

Why do solar panels keep developing? Why does it need to get better and better? 

The negative impacts on the environment and other issues associated with fossil fuels have forced many countries to change their environmental policies towards achieving sustainability in the renewable-energy industry. Solar energy in Malaysia has become one of the best sustainable energy sources that will gradually replace the use of fossil fuels for the production of electricity.

Do you know?

Breaking news: did you know that Malaysia’s domestic oil and gas reserves are expected to run out by 2029? The country will be forced to import fossil fuels for electricity generation. However, the prices of imported fossil fuels are heavily dependent on exchange-rate fluctuations, which will potentially expose Malaysia to economic risk. Moreover, the widespread use of renewable energy is essential for Malaysia to address its climate change challenges. For example, between 1971 and 2020, the country’s carbon dioxide emissions increased at an annual rate from 14.7 to 262.2 million metric tonnes! Among the available renewable energy sources, solar energy in Malaysia has the greatest potential, as the country is located within the sunbelt with at least ten hours of sun every day. This allows solar power to be used to generate electricity all year long across the country.

The History of Solar Energy in Malaysia

Historically, solar PV installation was first introduced in Malaysia via the pioneering solar PV rural electrification programme in 1982. This is where solar energy in Malaysia started. As part of the scheme, solar PV was installed in 100 homes in several remote villages across the country. 

In 2000, the country’s largest electricity utility company launched the country’s first grid-connected PV system. This was then followed by a 5-year programme called SURIA 1000 between 2006 and 2010. The programme provided subsidies to successful bidders for the installation of solar PV systems in their homes. Most importantly, SURIA 1000 has also opened up opportunities for the public and industry to be directly involved in solar-related initiatives. Since then, many multinational companies have started to set up PV cell and module manufacturing plants in Malaysia. 

In 2011, the renewable-energy feed-in tariff (FiT) mechanism was established under the Renewable Energy Act 2011. The FiT allows the sale of electricity generated from solar PV systems to the utility company at a fixed premium price for a specific time period. The FiT programme came to an end in 2017. It was replaced by net energy metering (NEM), which enables solar users to produce electricity with solar net metering and sell the excess electricity to power grids. Since January 2019, NEM has been improved by introducing the true NEM concept, which enables excess solar energy produced to be exported back to the grid on a “one-on-one” offset basis.

About the policies – Solar Energy in Malaysia

The existing public green policies in Malaysia aim to achieve the national renewable-energy mix target of 20% by 2025. However, despite various incentives and strategies to encourage the growth of the renewable-energy sector, clean energy sources (including solar PV) constitute merely 2% of the total electricity-generation capacity in Malaysia. Specifically, the residential sector contributes merely 9.14 megawatts to the installed capacity of solar PV in Malaysia. Most of the installed PV capacity comes from the commercial (i.e., 25.60 megawatts) and industrial (i.e., 355.76 megawatts) sectors. Thus, increased efforts are required to enhance the adoption of solar PV technologies, particularly among households in Malaysia.

Conclusion

This means all domestic and household individuals need to be fully aware of solar energy in Malaysia and how it could improve the environment. The younger generation will need a better, more comprehensive, and more in-depth education on renewable energy. So, as future decision makers, they will understand the impact of renewable energy, such as solar energy, on climate change and the environment.

So what are you waiting for? We need you to help us make the world a better place, starting with our beloved country, Malaysia!