Current Projects in Malaysia

IGS SIRIM Project (May 2001 - 2004)

A double-storey house was built in the compound of SIRIM with photovoltaic panels incorporated into its roof to test the efficiency and the voltage produced by three (3) different types of photovoltaic solar cells. The three types are namely polycrystalline, amorphous and monocrystalline.

According to Project Leader Ar. Lim Chin Haw of NLCC Architects Sdn Bhd, the porch roof uses normal clay tiles incorporated with polycrystalline cells, the amorphous system is installed at the middle roof and the monocrystalline cells onto the upper roof clay tiles.

Malaysia is suited for this type of technology as it is located at the equator; the solar cells do not need to follow the sun's movement. Another positive aspect of the technology is that it produces Direct Current (DC) which is stable. With the cells incorporated into the roof tiles, there is less need for roofing material or concrete cladding. A builiding intergrated with this system (3 kWh photovoltaic panel) can save as much as RM70 a month of electricity bill.

The Project, funded by a RM2.9 million grant from the Industrial Grant Scheme (IGS) of the Science, Technology & Environment Ministry (MOSTE), began in May 2001 and ended in 2004, was an initiative of SIRIM and the Institute Solare Energiesysteme of Germany.

National Building Intergrated PV Project (2004 - 2008)

This Project was launched on the 8th of January 2004, by Datuk Amar Leo Moggie, aimed at increasing the awareness of Malaysians on PVs and in reducing the long-term costs of the technology and creating a sustainable demand in the local market.

This RM100 million Project is led by the Energy, Communications & Multimedia Ministry, Malaysia Energy Centre (Pusat Tenaga Malaysia) and UNDP, and will be partially funded by the Global Environment Facility. It is a 5 year project, to look into ways to raise the awareness on solar energy and in the process boost local manufacturing of PV equipment in an attempt to bring down costs for consumers. One of the other major components is to overcome adverse perception towards solar energy and that it is unreliable.

Four facilities are being set up for this purpose. The first is the New Energy, Communications and Multimedia Ministry building in Putrajaya, in which its glass awnings will be replaced with BIPV sunshade capable of generating solar power. The other facilities being considered are a budget hotel in Putrajaya (PV roof for its walkway), a food court in Shah Alam (PV in roofing and sunshades) and residential buildings.

The hope, at a later stage, is to apply BIPV systems to other government buildings. The private sector too can participate, by providing their properties for PV installations and housing developers are encouraged to consider offering PV systems in new property launches.