{"id":46400,"date":"2023-09-21T01:02:45","date_gmt":"2023-09-21T01:02:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/energytracker.asia\/?p=46400"},"modified":"2023-09-21T01:02:49","modified_gmt":"2023-09-21T01:02:49","slug":"solar-energy-in-malaysia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/energytracker.asia\/solar-energy-in-malaysia\/","title":{"rendered":"Solar Energy in Malaysia: A Bright Future or Dim Prospect?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Solar energy in Malaysia<\/strong> is at its early stage. As climate change accelerates, Southeast Asia is focusing increasingly on clean and renewable energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This starkly contrasts the region\u2019s historically heavy reliance on fossil fuels, which has fueled major economic growth over the last two decades. Southeast Asia\u2019s energy demand has doubled since 2000, and renewable capacity has nearly tripled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Malaysia has followed this trend, with renewable energy capacity<\/a> increasing by over 3.5 times since 2000. However, even with this significant increase, renewable energy only makes up<\/a> about 8% of its total energy mix. This is heavily dependent on hydropower (6.3% of the energy mix), a reliable source of low-carbon energy. However, its use is regionally specific<\/a> and primarily in Borneo Malaysia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The country is looking for alternative options to to generate electricity and increase renewable energy access, and solar is coming into the spotlight<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solar Energy in Malaysia: Current State and Prospects<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Solar power in Malaysia is still in its nascent stages, contributing to less than 1%<\/a> of the country\u2019s total energy consumption. However, the government\u2019s goal<\/a> of increasing the country\u2019s share of renewable energy to 31% by 2025 places a significant emphasis on solar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Malaysia's
Malaysia\u2019s renewable energy forecast to meet its 2050 goal. Source: The Inscriptive Five<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This growth will hinge on three leading considerations. First, there will be a major revamp of government policies<\/a> to facilitate utility-scale solar projects. Second, the country\u2019s solar PV module production capacity, the third-largest<\/a> in the world, will focus on domestic use instead of lucrative external markets. Third, an investment of USD 375 billion<\/a> by 2050 will be made in renewable energy infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If successful, Malaysia can tap into a valuable portion<\/a> of its 337 GW of potential solar capacity available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Malaysia Suitable for Solar Energy?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Malaysia\u2019s high solar energy capacity is primarily due to its geographic location. Straddling the equator, it receives solar radiation at a direct 90-degree angle<\/a>. This allows solar radiation to reach Earth more densely than at higher latitudes \u2013 providing more energy per square metre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Map
Source: Solar GIS<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

However, the country\u2019s tropical climate counterbalances this with frequent cloud cover, leading to an average of 6 hours<\/a> of sunlight daily. Malaysia receives approximately<\/a> 4-5 kWh\/m2 of solar irradiance per day, one of the highest<\/a> rates in Southeast Asia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n