Establishing Solar Village Communities in Malaysia towards a Self-Sufficient Electricity Lifestyle: The Feasibility Study
Nur Azfahani Ahmad1, Asmalia Che Ahmad2, Hugh Byrd3, Nur Huzeima Hussain4
1Nur Azfahani Ahmad, Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying, University, Technology MARA, Perak Branch, Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia.
2Asmalia Che Ahmad, Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying, University, Technology MARA, Perak Branch, Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia.
3Hugh Byrd, Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying, University, Technology MARA, Perak Branch, Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia.
4Nur Huzeima Hussain, Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying, University, Technology MARA, Perak Branch, Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia.
Manuscript received on 03 February 2019 | Revised Manuscript received on 10 February 2019 | Manuscript Published on 22 March 2019 | PP: 277-281 | Volume-8 Issue-5S April 2019 | Retrieval Number: ES3428018319/19©BEIESP
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© The Authors. Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open-access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: The application of solar PV in rural Malaysia, especially for the village communities are still at its early stages due to the system’s high cost and limited access on the technology. Moreover, the widespread access to conventional electricity generated from fossil fuels resulted in greater dependent on electricity and the appliances that it powers. The situation has now changed as the resources to produce electricity cannot be sustained and may create energy insecurity issue in the near future. This paper will try to identify whether solar PVs can practically supplement the grid electricity supply to rural communities to wards establishing a more self-sufficient electricity lifestyles. The objective of this study is to allow village communities to gain benefit from this technology. Through a case study and feasibility study, the potential of supplementing households’ electricity needs are identified. It is found that through Community-Based Approach mechanism, village communities can have the opportunity to access solar electricity and become resilient if there will be any energy insecurity issues in the future.
Keywords: Community-based Approach, Photovoltaic, Solar Electricity, Self-Sufficient Electricity, rural Communities.
Scope of the Article: Computer Architecture and VLSI