Solar power in the fields

Using Solar Power For Agriculture

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Climate change is a troubling issue for mankind in this century. Each day, the earth’s temperature rises, thanks to the greenhouse gases several sectors emit, including the amount of fossil fuel they use up. On the other hand, warmer temperature also comes with its effects, such as floods, droughts, and early frost.

With the above-mentioned environmental concern, solar energy appears to be our saving grace. If you’ve observed quite well, you will notice that all sectors are trying to dump the use of the many eco-unfriendly fossil fuels and adopt the use of renewable energy in solar power system.

One of those sectors is the agriculture sector. The agriculture sector can benefit a lot from the use of this clean form of energy. Due to the increasing population of the world, the need for agricultural produce is on the rise as well.

 

The use of solar energy in agriculture

 

Solar power at the helm of daily functions

Solar energy can come in handy in several ways; this form of energy can be used for solar irrigation; it can likewise be used to pump water for livestock and crops. There is a huge need to design or probably re-designs buildings in such a way that they become able to trap heat that is present during the day time when everywhere is heated up.

Some livestock needs a frequent supply of fresh air to remain in the best health condition. Systems that can power coolers and other types of such boxes can be designed to avoid wasting money on electricity bills.

There is a cost-effective approach to achieving this, and it is by asking whoever is in charge of designing your building to design the structure of the building in a way that it optimizes the sunlight that it gets.

With the aid of solar water heaters purchased from a solar company in Malaysia, you can provide hot water for the cleaning of your cattle and pen. You can also use the warm water from these solar water heaters to warm and stimulate cows’ udders. Sunlight emanating from the sun can be used to power homes and agriculture houses with the aid of solar panel systems.

Solar power for agriculture

 

The use of solar energy in drying up crops and grains

During the traditional air-drying, a huge number of agricultural produce is damaged. With the aid of the solar drying method, this agricultural produce can be dried faster and at an even rate rather than leaving them outside where they become prone to birds, insects, and worms.

Perishable goods are often very hard to dry, and a huge proportion of these goods end up being damaged. With the use of solar drying, you can dry perishable goods without the fear of it getting damaged. This will reduce the number of damaged crops and would lead to an increase in profit on the part of the farmer.

Solar dryers come in diverse types, such as direct drying (solar box dryer), indirect drying (solar cabinet dryer), mixed-mode drying (solar tunnel dryer), or hybrid drying (hybrid solar/ biomass cabinet dryer).

Solar power in the gardens

 

Benefits of using solar energy for agriculture

The irregularity in the supply of electricity has led to several losses on the part of the farmers. There are lots of benefits attached to the use of solar energy, and below are a few of these benefits.

 

Very cheaper compared to fossil fuel

On farms that take up an extensive area of land, the use of solar energy will be quite less expensive compared to when using fossil fuels to provide energy for the large farm. Of course, the installation of these solar panels will be quite expensive, but when installed, you will enjoy its use without paying a dime.

Solar power for farming

 

An advanced approach

Unlike other sectors, the agriculture sector is quite slow to adopt technological benefits that come with the advancement of technology. By using this form of energy to power certain agricultural activities, the agriculture sector proves that they are open to more technological advancement.

With the increase in the use of solar energy to run certain agricultural activities, businesses and researchers will be forced to provide farmers with more technologically equipped tools.

solar panels for agriculture and farming

 

Takeaways

Farmers have found themselves embroiled in the issue regarding global warming since climate change affects the agricultural produce. As the world population increases, the need for food would skyrocket as well. With the aid of solar power in the agriculture sector, we can check climate change and combat the problem effectively.

solar panel at garden

Why You Should Switch To Solar Power

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Solar energy is the power provided by the sun. It is the technology that turns sunlight directly into electricity.

Many in Malaysia and around the world are installing solar panel systems to benefit from this clean, renewable energy power. According to Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister, Ms Yeo Bee Yin, Malaysia can produce 1.4 times more electricity if all the roofs in Peninsular Malaysia are covered with solar panels.

Sadly, at present, only 2% of Malaysia’s electricity is produced by renewable energy sources as the country’s energy production is still dependent on limited fossil fuel resources such as oil, coal or natural gas.

Here are the main benefits of going solar.

 

1. Renewable Energy Source

The main benefit of using solar panel systems is that it is a renewable energy source. It can be used in all areas of Malaysia and it is accessible every day.

The best thing about solar power is that it is infinite, unlike some of the other sources of energy. Solar power will always be available.

switch to solar power: Renewable energy

 

2. Eco-friendly

Solar power in Malaysia represents a clean green source of energy. If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, the best way is by installing a solar panel system on your roof. It is important to understand that solar energy does not pollute the environment.

The only resources solar power needs are the sun and a source of clean water to function.

switch to solar power: Eco friendly

 

3. Home Investment

Installing a solar panel system in your home will add value to your house because it saves money from your utility bills each month. If you decide to sell your property one day, you can ask for a better price thanks to this investment.

Recent studies by solar companies in Malaysia showed that buyers are willing to pay RM62,000 extra for a home with an average-sized solar panel system. The appreciation of property value is due to the money the new house owner can save on energy in the future.

switch to solar power: home investment

 

4. Helps You Manage Your Expenses

Another clear benefit of having a solar panel system is that you can be protected against rising energy costs. You should know that residential electricity prices rise approximately three percent annually. So when you invest in solar panels for your home, you are making sure your finances are not affected by the increase in electricity costs.

Remember, solar power in Malaysia helps you better estimate and manage your expenses, making it a great alternative for homeowners and businesses.

economic growth

 

5. Diverse Applications

Solar energy can be used for different purposes. For example, you can produce electricity with photovoltaics or heat with solar thermal.

Solar thermal technology just converts sunlight into heating solutions. This is different from photovoltaic solar panels, which directly convert the sun’s radiation into electricity.

A great benefit of using this type of energy is that solar panels suppliers in Malaysia can install them in areas without access to the energy grid.

Switching to solar power for different application

 

6. Economic Growth

Malaysia’s economy can achieve better with solar power. When there is a higher demand for this clean energy, more companies will be needed to install solar panels. As a result, there will be additional jobs for experienced workers, keeping the economy growing.

increase economical growth

 

7. Free Source of Energy

As mentioned, the sun provides us with more power than we could ever use, and no one can own and monopolize the sunlight.

solar energy

 

The Bottom Line

As you can see, solar power in Malaysia has many benefits and you should take advantage of this technology as soon as possible.

Solar power will help you save money from the moment they are turned on, and you will be able to see the best visible advantages in the long run. The longer you have your solar power system, the more you enjoy the benefits of this technology and support the environment.

 

Stay clean, go solar.

SOLARVESTxUOB

Solarvest & UOB Teaming Up to Promote Solar Energy

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Solar photovoltaic (“PV”) system specialist, Solarvest Holdings Berhad (“Solarvest” or the “Group”) and United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Berhad (“UOB”) are teaming up for an upcoming collaboration to encourage the use of green energy, in particular solar photovoltaic (“PV”), amongst the commercial, industrial and residential segments.

Announcing this at the 10th International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition & Conference Malaysia (“iGEM 2019”), Solarvest and UOB will enter into a formal partnership to create more awareness campaigns and nationwide roadshows to promote the benefits of green energy, in particular solar photovoltaic (“PV”).

In addition, the collaboration will also look into developing customized financing solutions that cater to various user segments.

Group Chief Executive Officer of Solarvest, Mr. Davis Chong Chun Shiong (张俊雄) said, “At Solarvest, we offer end-to-end solutions of solar PV systems from design all the way to installation and maintenance. This provides our customers with a seamless process to start using solar PV energy. By teaming up with UOB to provide customized financing solutions, this will further encourage the use of solar PV energy as the initial investment cost is reduced.”

YB Yep signed Solar Panel representing SolarvestxUOB

Solarvest and UOB had previously worked together in July 2019 to jointly sponsor an event organized by Malaysian Investment Development Authority (“MIDA”) in Kuantan, Pahang which attracted close to 100 attendees. At the event, MIDA’s Green Technology Division provided policy updates and incentives available for those interested in green energy.

Recently, UOB also partnered with Solarvest for series of roadshows such as the Malaysian Photovoltaic Industry Association’s National Solar Roadshow held in Johor Bahru in September 2019 to educate and encourage the uptake of solar PV installations on commercial and industrial rooftops.

“This is one of the many strategic plans we have in our pipeline as we strive to fill the gaps in the industry. We will continue to explore for more partnership opportunities to drive adoption of solar energy and be at the forefront of this growing industry,” he added.

These initiatives are aimed to support the Malaysian Government’s goal of achieving 20 percent electricity generation from renewable energy sources by 2025.

Source: https://bit.ly/2IQHNSW

tax incentives for green technology in Malaysia

Tax Incentives for Green Technology in Malaysia

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Malaysia Government will provide tax incentives for the purchase of green technology equipment, besides giving tax exemption on the use of green technology services.

With these tax incentives, it will allow small and medium enterprises to grow the Renewable Energy market. The main purpose of the Malaysia Government is to attract potential investors and industry players to invest in Renewable Energy.

In addition, the Malaysia government wants to motivate companies to acquire green technology assets and of course, to enhance the number of green technology service providers.

The three groups under the Green Technology Tax incentive: 

  1. Green Investment Tax Allowance (GITA) Assets
  2. Green Investment Tax Allowance (GITA) Project
  3. Green Income Tax Exemption (GITE) Services

Green Investment Tax Allowance (GITA) Assets

GITA Assets are for companies that acquire qualifying green technology assets and there are listed under MyHIJAU Directory. Companies should comply with ALL of the following criteria:

  • The companies should minimise the degradation of the environment or reduce greenhouse emissions.
  • They should promote health and the improvement of environment 
  • They need to conserve the use of energy, water and other forms of natural resources, or promote the use of renewable energy, or are able to recycle waste material resources. 

The Rate of Incentive

  • Green Investment Tax Allowance (GITA) of 100% of qualifying capital expenditure incurred on approved green technology assets from the date of purchase until 31 December 2020.
  • The allowance can be offset against 70% of statutory income in the year of assessment.
  • Unutilised allowances can be carried forward until they are fully absorbed.

Green Investment Tax Allowance (GITA) Project

GITA Projects are for companies that undertake a qualifying green technology. Companies should comply with ALL of the following criteria:   

  • minimise the degradation of the environment or reduce greenhouse emission
  • promote health and improvement of the environment
  • conserve the use of energy, water and/or other forms of natural resources, or promote the use of renewable energy, or are able to recycle waste material resources

Application should be received by MIDA until 31 December 2020.

Rate of Incentive

  • Green Investment Tax Allowance (GITA) of 100% of qualifying capital expenditure incurred on green technology project from the date of application received by MIDA until the year of assessment 2020.
  • The allowance can be offset against 70% of statutory income in the year of assessment.
  • Unutilised allowances can be carried forward until they are fully absorbed.

Green Income Tax Exemption (GITE) Services

GITE Services is for companies which provide green technology services which have been verified by GreenTech Malaysia, and listed under the MyHIJAU Directory. Companies must meet the criteria of green technology service providers as follows: 

  • At least one competent/qualified personnel in the respective green technology*;
  • Must have a green policy related to the environmental or sustainability**; and
  • 100% income must be derived from the respective green technology services.

*Note: Competent personnel are defined as holding a certificate of competency as a service provider in the related field of green technology. The certificate must be recognised by the Government or a Professional Body in Malaysia.


**Green Policy is a statement about the commitment to sustainability and environment management by the company.

All applications must be submitted to MIDA before 31 December 2020. 

Rate of Incentive

  • 100% of statutory income from the date of application received by MIDA until the year of assessment 2020 (the maximum period is 5 years from the date of commencement).

Qualifying Activities

For SEDA, there are two main qualifying activities to be approved for the tax incentives:

  1. Renewable Energy: Commercial and industrial business entities which undertake generation of energy in the form of electricity, steam, heat and chilled water using renewable energy resources such as:
  1. Solar Power (including NEM)
  2. Biomass
  3. Biogas
  4. Mini hydro
  5. Geothermal

*Note: Projects which have been approved with Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) for solar by SEDA are not eligible for the Investment Tax Allowance.

2. Energy Efficiency: Companies invest in energy efficient equipment or technologies and invest in energy saving equipment.

In a Nutshell 

Right now, the entire solar power industry in Malaysia is producing 67% of the 270MW of renewable energy.

There are several solar farms in Malaysia that sells electricity to the grid. Solar farms are designed to produce enough electricity power for thousands of homes and businesses.

If you have never seen one, they are just like the solar panels you install on your roof to generate electricity for your needs.

It’s important to start using renewable energy sources now because they provide clean energy for our lives and reduce climate warming and pollution; and by reducing the use of oil and gas, we can reduce the risk of cancer and heart attacks. 

Interesting Facts about Solar Energy

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There are many things that may surprise you about solar energy. To start with, the solar industry is now in almost every country and it is finally ready to stand on its own.

More and more people are choosing solar energy at a faster rate than ever before in Malaysia.

This explosive growth of solar power comes as a result of the falling cost of solar panels and the many benefits of this renewable energy source.

Are you ready to go solar? Here are 7 interesting facts that you need to know.

7 Facts about the Solar Industry

1. Energy Source

The sun, is without a doubt the biggest and most abundant energy source for earth. In Malaysia, the entire solar power industry is producing 67% of the 270 MW of renewable energy, right now.

The sun sends 173,000 terawatts continuously; and it could potentially satisfy the global energy needs for one year, with only the sunlight reaching the earth every hour.

2. Green Energy Source

Solar energy is a clean, renewable power source that do not lead to air or water pollution, and does not release any gases.

In addition, solar farms in Malaysia follow the environmental laws that regulate the correct disposal of any type of potentially harmful materials for the environment.

3. Good Investment

Solar panels in Malaysia are getting cheaper. The cost per kilowatt has fallen below coal and gas.

Malaysia Fit System, which aims to promote the development of renewable energy so homeowners have a chance to generate electricity and get paid for it by TNB, makes the ROI (return of investment) very attractive.

4. Long Effective Lifespan

The good thing is that once you invest in a solar power plant, it can last 40 to 50 years.

Yes, you can replace the solar panels with new, more efficient modules, and once the infrastructure is built, you will have solar energy power for a long time.

5. Solar Energy is Quick to Deploy

You can quickly build small solar plants, in a matter of weeks to restore electricity after a disaster. No other fossil power plant can be installed so quickly.

6. It can be Installed Everywhere

Solar panels systems are most effective due to constant exposure to the sun, but this doesn’t mean that it cannot generate electricity or heat when it is cloudy, raining or cold. You can enjoy solar energy in any region.

Solar panels need sunlight to generate electricity, not sun heat.

7. Largest Solar Park

The largest solar park in the world is located in the Sahara Desert. Once the project is completed by 2020, with a capacity of 580 megawatts, it will provide electricity power to 1 million people.

Malaysia largest solar farm is located on 98 hectares of land in Mukim Tanjung 12, Sepang. It uses 230,000 solar panels, increasing TNB renewable energy capacity to the national grid to 73.2 megawatts.

Even though the solar industry in Malaysia is starting to get a lot of attention, with the Government setting a target of having 20% of the country’s electricity generated from renewable sources by 2030, we are still a small fish compared to China.

China installed more than 50 GW last year. This could power 8.2 million homes.

Benefits of Solar Energy

The main benefit of solar energy is that it is truly a renewable energy source that is available every day, and in every region of the world, unlike some other sources of energy.

Moreover, we can never run out of solar energy.

Other benefits include:

  • Reduces electricity bills
  • Low maintenance cost
  • Good long-term investment
  • Government benefits
  • Can be connected to the electricity grid

Solar energy has a favorable impact on the environment, and it’s free and abundant.

So if we invest in a solar energy system, we can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels in favor of the most consistent source of energy we have, the sun.

Yeo Bee Yin

Malaysia Government Open Tender for RM 2bil of Large Scale Solar (LSS) Project

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On February 15, 2019, Yeo Bee Yin, the Energy, Technology, Science, Climate Change and Environment Minister, has called for bids for an estimated RM2 billion worth of projects under LSS3 scheme to increase the production of electricity from renewable energy.

The competitive bidding process, Yeo said, would open from February to August 2019. By the end of the year, the outcome of the exercise is expected.

Who will win this bidding exercise?

First, this is an open tender free for all. Malaysia government is looking for whichever party that can offer the lowest price for the first 500 megawatts (MW) and pass all the required financial and technical qualifications.

Yeo explained that the contractors for engineering, construction and commissioning must be 100 per cent local and added that the ownership can be up to 49% foreign.

She made it a point at the conference that the government is looking for the best price.

solar farm

To lower electricity tariffs and get better financing rates from financial institutions, the quota offered to each developer will be increased to 100 MW from 30MW for the LSS3 scheme.

Yeo also added that quotas offered to developers will no longer be based on capacity range, to allow them to bid for higher capacities.

The main purpose is that by 2030, or sooner, electricity tariffs can be lowered and become competitive against other forms of energy power such as gas and coal.

Why is this important?

Renewable energy provide tariffs that are more stable because they do not rely on market prices of fuel, and are calculated based on the levelized cost of energy.

With LSS2, the solar tariffs can go as low as 33.98 per kilowatt hour, and now with this open tender, it could go lower.

The two cycles of LSS projects had a total installed capacity of 958 MW.

The Malaysia government plans to increase the country’s electricity from 2 per cent from renewable sources to 20 per cent in 2025. This means about 3,991 MW of new energy capacity will be needed in addition to the grid.

By doing this, it will open more opportunities to incumbents and new entrants. This without a doubt will be more noticeable on the smaller players.

Solarvest Commercial / Industrial solar panel

Malaysia government also plans to increase electricity generation by other mechanisms such as feed in tariff sources, biogas, biomass, and geothermal mini hydro while promoting LSS projects.

The LSS3 project is an effort of the Malaysia Government towards the growth of renewable energy in the country. LSS projects produce 958 MW of electricity between the end of 2018 until 2020.

In Malaysia, solar energy accounts for about 67% of renewable energy capacity while biogas and biomass are the second largest with 28%.

It is expected that LLS3 will have the same success of the previous two rounds, the most recent of which saw awards for 563MW in December 2017.

The submission of proposal will close on August 19, 2019, before 5.00pm.

Solarvest solar panel installation

Can I Install Solar Panels Myself?

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Does do-it-yourself solar panel installation make sense to you? It’s not surprising that many homeowners are considering a DIY solar panel installation. Many people consider the do-it-yourself way because they want to save money.

The question remains: is it worth it?

Bear in mind that installing solar panels is completely different from installing other home improvements projects. In fact, getting solar panels up on the roof is not the biggest part of the process. Instead, it’s taking time to do research and plan every part of your system. First, you will need to understand how solar panels work and you will need to plan all the process.

When everything is ready, Solar panels offer major financial benefits because they reduce your monthly electricity costs, and can even increase the value of your property. Plus there are a lot of incentives from the Malaysia government and utility companies that can help reduce your net cost by 30 percent or more. In this blog post, we’re glad to present to you all the information you need before deciding to install it yourself.

Solarvest Choo Sui Hong 5KW LORONG BAYU MUTIARA 4

5 Step to install a Solar Panel System

  1. Determine your energy needs.
  2. Buy solar equipment: solar panels, inverters, racking, etc.
  3. Install the racking or mounts for the solar panels.
  4. Connect the solar panels to the racking equipment.
  5. Install a solar inverter.

As you can see, there are a lot of details that a professional installer can help you with. Keep in mind that your solar energy system should continue to generate electricity for the next 25 to 35 years.

If you buy a home solar kit from a store, it may be less expensive per watt, and you might not be getting the same quality equipment that solar installers are able to offer you. Additionally, solar installers buy from equipment distributors who don’t sell to the general public, so they are able to offer lower prices as they buy in bulk.

Most home solar kits are designed for off grid use. However, going off grid might not in your best interest as you should be able to access utility generated electricity at all times of the day, every day.

Installing a solar panel system is complicated, and it requires training and experience.

If you buy a home solar kit, you may be able to pay less, but don’t forget that the solar industry in Malaysia offers additional value for relatively very little additional cost.

The fact is, when you hire someone who knows what they are doing, you actually save both time and money in the long run. Professional solar installers in Malaysia have a lot of experience, something you cannot find online or in the DIY guide. They are qualified to install solar power systems so you can be sure you are working with someone who really understands the process.

Another benefit of working with a professional solar installer in Malaysia is that they will help you complete and file the permits and applications that you need to get your solar power energy system up and running. Remember your utility company won’t let you connect your solar system to the grid without a signature from a certified electrician.

Besides, your solar installer will help you with all your questions, and even assist you in finding an incentive in your area that you may have missed, so that you can save more money.

Finally, remember that almost all solar power systems offer a warranty that may only be honored if a qualified installer installs the equipment. With that being said, does it mean there is no way to save money on solar panel installation?

You can, actually. The best tips are get multiple quotations, research and consider all solar companies in your area, consider all available options, and compare costs before making a decision. In other words, the more well informed you are, the better you get to save on your solar panel installation.

Noor Complex Solar Power Plant, Morocco

Largest Solar Power Plants in the World

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Solar Power is the fastest growing energy source in the world. Today, almost every country is producing solar energy. The majority of the global solar power is coming from China, India and the US, with the Middle East coming strong.

In the past five years, solar panels systems have nearly quadrupled, going up to nearly 400GW by the end of last year. Solar energy contributed 20% of global power growth in 2018.

In Malaysia, by the year 2025, 20 percent of its energy will be from renewable sources. The renewable sources include biomass (99MW), biogas (59MW) and hydro (42MW) with solar energy being the biggest contributor — 75 percent (375MW) of the total.

The solar industry in Malaysia is expanding and is becoming an attractive investment for renewable developers. An example of this is the construction of the largest solar power farm in Sepang, Selangor, which uses 230,000 solar panels, installed in 98 hectares of land.

But where are the biggest solar power plants?

With more solar projects planned across the world, the “largest solar plant” changes continuously. Here are the largest solar plants in the world today.

Noor Complex Solar Power Plant, Morocco

Noor Complex Solar Power Plant, Morocco

Noor Complex Solar Power Plant is located in the Sahara Desert and it is the world’s largest concentrated solar power plant. The Solar Plant capacity is of 580 megawatts, and by 2020, it is expected to provide electricity for over 1 million people, once completed.


Kamuthi Solar Power Station, India

Kamuthi Solar Power Station, India

Kamuthi Solar Power Plant is located in India. Covering 2,500 acres and consisting of 2.5 million solar panels, the plant is able to power 750,000 people. The solar plant has a total generation capacity of 648MW. Every day, the robotic system that is charged by its own solar panels cleans the plant.


Solar Star Solar Farm, California

Solar Star Solar Farm

Solar Star is located in Rosamond, California, US. and the site area is 13 square kilometres. This solar plant has 1.7 million solar panels that can supply electricity to 255,000 homes. Solar Star is responsible for nearly 17% of California’s electricity supply.


Longyangxia Dam Solar Park, China

Longyangxia Dam Solar Park, China

Longyangxia Dam Solar Park is located in the city of Cixi in eastern Zhejiang in China. It has installed 300 hectares of solar panels above a fish farm. The solar plant has enough power to supply electricity for 100,000 houses and it generates 220 gigawatt hours of electricity a year.


Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park, India

Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park, India

Covering 5,932.32 acres in the Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park has the capacity to generate 1,000MW. More than four million solar panels were installed in the solar power plant, each with a capacity of 315W of 320W.

The site can generate more than 8 million kWh of electricity on sunny days, meeting the entire demand of the Kurnool district.


Enel Villanueva PV Plant, Mexico

Enel Villanueva PV Plant, Mexico

Enel Villanueva solar plant is located in Coahuila, Mexico. It has over 2.3 million solar panels and is able to produce more than 1,7000GWh per year.


Datong Solar Power Top Runner Base, China

Datong Solar Power Top Runner Base, China

Datong Solar Power Plant is located in China and it can be the largest solar plant in the world once completed. The solar plant has generated a total of 870 million watts of electricity power, which is equivalent to more than 120 million watts per month.

Tengger Desert Solar Park, China

Tengger Desert Solar Park, China

Tengger Desert Solar Park is by far the world’s largest solar array. It is located in Zhongwei, Ningxia and 1547MW of solar power was installed.

The Tengger Desert covers about 36,700 km and the solar park itself occupies 1,200 Km (3.2%) of land.

The solar energy in Malaysia plays an important role in the energy mix, mainly because the sun shines all year around. In fact, this energy is much more affordable than 10 years ago.

As the solar industry in Malaysia is well established, there is a reliable and low cost supply chain for solar project developers. Steady growth is expected; projected figure is fixed at 8.5% for annual average growth rate between 2019 and 2027.

Which is more efficient

Solar power vs. Wind power: Which is more efficient?

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More and more homeowners are turning to renewable energy sources in Malaysia to provide power to their homes. The two most common ones are: solar and wind power. But which one is better?

Solar power systems use sunlight to power your home, and still allow you to sell extra energy to your utility company. Wind power produce energy from wind powered turbines.

Both depend on forces of nature, but in general, solar panels provide more consistent energy, especially in Malaysia because of the low wind speed (no more than 2 m/s).

However, there are also other differences between both of them, which play an important role when it comes to deciding which renewable energy option is best for you.

Wind versus Solar

Let’s begin by saying that the main benefit of wind over solar power for your home is that wind turbines generate power 24 hours a day, and they don’t depend on sunlight. On the other hand, solar panels only generate power during sunlight hours.

However, in order to be effective, wind turbines need to be located high above where there are no obstacles that can block the wind.

A wind turbine for residential use should be at least 80 feet tall and the average wind speeds needed is at least 12 miles per hour. This could present a problem.

Thus this type of power is great for rural area with lots of open space where there is minimum obstruction that can block the wind’s path. Wind power systems do very well in plain areas.

In contrast, solar panels can be installed on almost any roof, and on the ground. Another benefit of solar panel systems is that your solar PV system is stationary and requires limited maintenance. Solar is generally a more practical renewable option for residential energy production.

Although the sun is everywhere in Malaysia, there are some places that are more exposed than others. Thus keep in mind that geography can affect the efficiency of solar panel conversions.

In addition, pay attention to the direction in which the solar panels are installed because this can also increase or decrease efficiency. The worst enemy of solar systems is cloud cover.

Main Advantages of Solar Power

For most settings, solar power is usually the best choice. The main advantages of solar power systems are:

  • No moving parts
  • More reliable
  • Solar power systems comes with a 25-year warranty
  • Less monitoring
  • Maintenance is less expensive
  • No noise: it is totally silent in operation
  • Installation is quicker
  • Lightning and high wind damage is less frequent
  • Solar panels require less space and you can install them on almost any roof.
  • Wind turbines require more planning and building approval and their height is in most cases an issue in residential areas.
  • Wind is an intermittent resource
  • Wind power can really have a terrible toll on birds.

Main Advantages of Wind Power

The main advantage of wind power over solar is that the wind can blow at night. Another advantage in the past was that wind power was cheaper but now the cost of solar energy in Malaysia has fallen, and prices have become more competitive than wind energy.

Although both methods offer clean renewable energy, they are not on equal ground.

No matter what renewable energy option you are considering, always compare multiple offers before making final decision. Contact your renewable energy experts HERE to evaluate your situation and provide you with advice.

Remember the energy option you choose should depend on your geographical location and requirements. One thing is certain: it’s critical to select the right system based on your needs.

In conclusion, as Solar power system is becoming more advanced every day, it’s now a better choice over wind power.

Many users save thousands on electricity bills every year, not to mention the appreciation of property value as the majority of buyers are willing to pay more for a house installed with a solar power system.

solar panel roof

Can Solar Energy Save You Money Over the Long-term?

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Solar energy is a renewable source of energy. Not only it is environment-friendly, it can help to cut down on the use of fossil fuels. There are many uses of solar energy such as:

  • Home heating
  • Hot Water systems
  • Swimming pool heating and
  • Indoor and outdoor lighting

Solar energy in Malaysia is very efficient because the sun shines almost all year long.

In Malaysia, not only it is possible to generate your own electricity, in some areas, you can even sell energy back to the electric grid.

Save Money with Solar Panel Systems

Most of the time, solar panels will help you save money on electricity.

This is especially true if you are planning to live in the same house to recoup the installation costs through saving on your energy bill.

But how do you save money?

  • You won’t be using as much electricity from the grid.
  • As you may already know, the cost of electricity is rising, so when you generate your own power, you save money.
  • Due to the fact that you might not be home to use the power during the day, you can store and use it later.
  • As mentioned before, if you generate excess energy, you can sell your energy back to the electric grid. So make sure you ask your retailer how to do it, and make sure you choose a plan that suit your needs and maximise your saving.
  • More market value to your property. When you install a solar panel system in your property, you are adding market value. For example, if you are selling your property, with a solar panel system, buyers will be willing to pay for a higher price, knowing that they can save on energy in many years to come. If you are renting out your property, tenants will be willing to pay for a higher rent because with solar panels, they will save on their electricity bills every month.

Before installing a solar panel system, it is important to consider these factors:

Energy Consumption

To know which type of solar panel system you need, take a look at your electricity bill to find out how much electricity your household consumes on a regular basis.

Running Patterns

It is very important to know exactly when you are using your solar panel system.

For example, if you consume most of your solar energy when your panel is supplying all your power needs, then you are not using power from the grid, and you will not be paying for your electricity during these hours.

On the other hand, if you are using less than what you produce, inform the grid and you can get a credit on your bill according to the applicable feed in tariff.

Feed-in tariff

Feed-in tariffs in Malaysia depend on your retailer, so make sure you ask them before you install any solar power system.

The rates are fairly good, particularly for PV, and they’ve also outlined various bonus amounts that apply if the generator meets certain criteria.

Size of your Solar Power System

The larger the solar power system, the more energy you will generate, and the more money you can save over time.

Since a larger solar power system will also cost more, make sure you know your household’s power needs to decide on the size of your system.

Location

Another aspect you should consider is where you live. Remember in Malaysia, the sun shines all year long, but the climate vary depending on which region you are.

So the same system is likely to yield more solar power depending on the region you live.

Other factors to consider are electricity prices and upfront cost of installation.

Generally, the higher electricity prices are, the more money you will save with solar panels.

And of course it is very important to know the upfront cost of installation, so that you can decide if it is worth it or not.

 

So all in all, is it worth it to install a solar panel system? The answer is a resounding YES.

Not only it will save you a lot of money, it will increase your property value.

Just make sure you consider your consumption habits and patterns, where you live, and don’t forget to ask your retailer for feed in tariffs.