EMPOWERING HOMES: AN ANALYSIS OF THE SOCIOECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF RESIDENTIAL SOLAR ENERGY IN MALAYSIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24191/gc2cj973Keywords:
Solar power, Residential solar users, Benefits,, Experiences.Abstract
This study examines the socioeconomic and environmental advantages of adopting home solar energy in Malaysia. The research is driven by the increasing global focus on renewable energy sources to address climate change and diminish reliance on fossil fuels. Notwithstanding Malaysia's potential for solar energy, the adoption of household solar systems remains constrained. The study examines the issue of insufficient solar energy utilisation in Malaysian households, which impedes economic savings for families and broader environmental objectives. This study aims to analyse the effects of home solar systems on household energy expenses, gauge public awareness of the benefits of solar energy, and examine the environmental advantages associated with solar energy utilization. A mixed-methods approach was employed to collect data via surveys and interviews with homeowners who have installed solar panels. The results indicate substantial decreases in electricity expenses, a high degree of user satisfaction, and large reductions in carbon emissions. The report advocates for enhanced government incentives, public awareness initiatives, and optimised installation procedures to promote broader adoption of solar technology in residential sectors. These strategies are essential for improving energy sustainability and securing enduring socioeconomic and environmental advantages for Malaysian communities.
References
Arnulf, J. W. (2007). Photovoltaics and renewable energies in Europe. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 11(7), 1414–1437. Energy Commission Malaysia. (2022). Net energy metering (NEM) programme. https://www.st.gov.my/.
Energy Commission. (2023). Malaysia renewable energy roadmap (MyRER) 2023–2050. Putrajaya: Suruhanjaya Tenaga Malaysia. Farid, S. M., Bakar, N. A., & Rashid, M. H. A. (2021). Enhancing energy security in Malaysia through distributed solar generation. Renewable Energy Focus, 39, 48–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ref.2021.01.005.
Habib, H., Khan, M. R., & Rafiq, M. (2021). Comparative life cycle assessment of electricity generation from solar PV and fossil fuels. Journal of Cleaner Production, 278, 123867.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.123867.
Humayara Manni, U., & Md. Mansur, K. H. (2024). Sustainable energy transition challenges in selected ASEAN countries: A 4A framework data envelopment analysis perspective. Malaysian Journal of Sustainable Environment, 11(1), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.24191/myse.v11i1.981.
IEA. (2020). World energy outlook 2020. International Energy Agency. https://www.iea.org/.
Majid, M. S. A., Zainuddin, H., & Sapuan, S. M. (2020). Economic performance of solar PV in Southeast Asia. Renewable Energy, 147, 1106–1115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2019.09.019.
Mohd Haniff Hazmin, & Mustapha, F. (2024). An outlook on hydropower in Malaysia: Policies, conditions, and the potential of small hydropower in Malaysian rivers as a new norm in renewable energy. Malaysian Journal of Sustainable Environment, 11(1), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.24191/myse.v11i1.981.
Musa, M. F., Rahman, H. A., & Ahmad, N. (2021). Impact of Net Energy Metering policy on solar PV adoption in Malaysia. Energy Policy, 155, 112334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2021.112334.
Nor Suhana Yusof. (2022). Relevankah pemasangan solar di kediaman? Penyelidik Kluster Alam Sekitar, Sumber Asli dan Asas Tani Terengganu Strategic Integrity Institute (TSIS).
Norazlinda Binti Mohamed, Irdayanti Binti Mat Nashir, & Nurul Fazura Abdul Hamid. (2019). Kajian keperluan alat latihan sistem solar fotovolta bagi memenuhi keperluan industri di Malaysia. International Journal of Humanities Technology and Civilization (IJHTC), 6(1),40–48.
Ramli, M. A. M., Twaha, S., & Al-Turki, Y. (2020). Green jobs in the Malaysian solar industry: Potential and strategies. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 134, 110320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.110320.
Razak, I. (2021). Pemeteran tenaga bersih atau Net Energy Metering (NEM) merupakan insentif solar bagi meningkatkan penggunaan tenaga solar dalam kalangan pengguna di Malaysia, 1–5.
Roland, C. (2007). Climate change and energy policy: The importance of sustainability arguments. Energy, 32(4), 262–268.
Sahu, B. K., Yadav, N. S., & Purohit, I. (2022). Cost competitiveness of solar PV in Asia-Pacific: Trends and projections. Energy Economics, 106, 105799. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eneco.2021.105799.
SEDA Malaysia. (2021). Laporan tahunan 2020. https://www.parlimen. gov.my/ipms/eps/2021-12-16/ST.200.2021 - ST 200.2021.pdf.
Seribu Ombak. (2019). Malaysia perlu pergiat penggunaan tenaga solar dalam negara. 16–17. https://seribuombak.wordpress.com/2019/01/09/malaysia-perlupergiat-penggunaan-tenaga-solar-dalam-negara/.
Suzei Mat Nurudin, Zarina Mohd Zain, Farihah Hassan, Reza Fathurrahman and Mohd Zainuddin Awang Ahmad (2025). Transitioning to Solar Energy in Malaysia: A Study of Residential Solar Users and Non-Residential Solar Users, Proceedings of the 9th Terengganu International Business and Economics Conference 2025 (TiBEC IX 2025), ISSN 2352-5428, Atlantis Press -Advances in Economics, Business and Management Research (AEBMR), https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-801-1_5.
Teoh, A. N., Go, Y. I., & Yap, T. C. (2020). Is Malaysia ready for sustainable energy? Exploring the attitudes toward solar energy and energy behaviors in Malaysia. World, 1(2), 90–103. https://doi.org/10.3390/world1020008.
Utusan Malaysia. (2021). Solar Rakyat: Jimat elektrik, mesra alam. Zaidi, A. (2020). Berbaloikah pemasangan sistem solar panel (PV) di rumah? Terengganu Strategic Integrity Institute, pp. 4–9.
Zhang, X., Li, Y., & Tan, Y. (2022). Emerging trends in solar PV technologies: Efficiency, cost, and deployment. Renewable Energy, 182, 670–684. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2021.10.095.
