Abstract:
Malaysia’s development has been largely financed from its oil and gas resources that come principally from the South China Sea. These resources have not only been the fuels to generate electricity but their benefits have filtered down through society and allowed the Government to subsidise fuel and electricity costs. This has enabled electricity to be distributed equitably throughout society and powered an improved quality of life. It has also resulted in the inefficient use of electricity and reduced the cost-effectiveness of renewable energy systems. However, the depletion of oil and gas fields and the international conflict over their territorial ownership threaten national energy security and both the adequacy of supply and equitable distribution of electricity. Low-income groups in rural areas are most exposed to the likely load-shedding and power-outages that are a consequence of an insecure supply. Malaysia’s greatest potential for renewable energy comes from photovoltaics (PVs) and the large roofs of rural houses offer significant potential to contribute electricity both nationally and to the local communities. However, there has been little recognition of this due to the subsidised electricity costs and high capital costs of PV systems. This research investigates whether solar PVs can power rural communities towards establishing a more self-sufficient electricity supply. Through surveys, load profile analysis, case studies and cost feasibility analysis, the potential of cost-effectively harnessing solar generated electricity for households and communities is analysed. It is found that, with the aid of loan from micro-credit organisation, an electricity-autonomous community can be established i n rural Malaysia. A novel mechanism known as ‘peer-topeer system’ allows PV owni ng households to rent the grid cables and to share surplus electricity within the community with a payback period between 3 to 5 years. This thesis has demonstrated that, if PVs could be installed widely across rural housing, they will significantly supplement households’ electricity needs and generate additional income for communities resulting in increased security and resilience.