In the heart of Malaysia’s push towards sustainable energy, a groundbreaking study has emerged, offering a blueprint for commercial buildings to harness the power of the sun while significantly cutting electricity costs. Led by Mohamed Hariri Muhammad Hafeez from the School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering at Universiti Sains Malaysia, the research delves into the techno-economic evaluation of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems under Malaysia’s Net Energy Metering (NEM) 3.0 scheme.
The study, published in the European Physical Journal Photovoltaics (EPJ Photovoltaics), focuses on a substantial 4324.75 kWp rooftop PV system installed at the USM Engineering Campus in Penang. This initiative is part of Malaysia’s broader strategy to integrate renewable energy into urban environments, allowing commercial establishments to connect up to 75% of their peak electrical demand capacity to the national grid.
Hariri’s research reveals that the USM Engineering Campus achieved approximately RM 2.2 million in savings during the first year post-installation. “This substantial saving underscores the potential of grid-connected PV systems to transform the energy landscape for commercial buildings,” Hariri noted. The study leverages specialized PV system software (PVsyst) to conduct comprehensive environmental, financial, and technical assessments.
One of the critical findings of the research is the degradation of the system’s power factor from 0.96 to 0.83, primarily due to the suboptimal operational state of the pre-existing capacitor banks. This highlights the importance of maintaining and upgrading existing electrical infrastructure to maximize the benefits of PV systems.
The financial analysis projects a favorable five-year return on investment (ROI) for commercial buildings operating under the NEM 3.0 framework. This research serves as a valuable case study for building owners contemplating the adoption of green energy production and exploring significant avenues for cost reduction.
As the energy sector grapples with the challenges of integrating renewable energy sources into the grid, Hariri’s study offers a roadmap for optimizing the performance and economic viability of grid-connected PV systems. “The insights gained from this research can guide policymakers, energy providers, and commercial building owners in making informed decisions about adopting and scaling up PV technologies,” Hariri added.
The implications of this research extend beyond Malaysia, offering a model for other countries looking to enhance their renewable energy portfolios. By addressing the technical and economic aspects of grid-connected PV systems, the study paves the way for more sustainable and cost-effective energy solutions in the commercial sector.
In an era where the demand for sustainable energy solutions is more pressing than ever, Hariri’s research stands as a testament to the transformative potential of grid-connected PV systems. As the world moves towards a greener future, the insights from this study will undoubtedly shape the development and implementation of renewable energy technologies in commercial buildings worldwide.