Solar Photovoltaic Energy, challenges in Malaysia in 2017 This paper - PDF document

Solar Photovoltaic Energy, challenges in Malaysia in 2017 This paper was compiled by Ana Jovanovic, the COO of SOLS Energy, a Social Enterprise of SOLS 24/7 group, for the purpose of Panel Discussion organized in Melaka Malaysia in July 20 th 2017 by World Youth Forum. It showcases the current consequence of the Solar PV tariff change in Malaysia in year 2017. Malaysia started the utilization of the Feed in Tariff for solar PV energy in year 2011, which brought great results in country’s implementation of ratified Kyoto Protocol (entry into force in 2005) and Paris Agreement (entry into force in 2016). FiT enabled Malaysian individuals and business owners to act, as micro power plants and produce the electricity which would be sold to the Government for the period of 21 years. However, year 2017 brought a new tariff, called Net Energy Metering (NEM) which rapidly decreased the interest of Malaysian’ s to continue with the Solar Energy usage. NEM enables self-consumption of the produced energy, while the energy in exceed can be sold back to TNB (Tenaga Nasional Berhard) for a certain cost that will be displayed and decreased from the next electricity bill. The return of investment from FiT to NEM increased for 3-5 years per installation (depending on the customer’s electricity usage). The paper is trying to respond what are the possible steps for increasing awareness and embracing the new tariff among Malaysians. In addition the paper tackles the topic of understanding solar energy as the way to save the planet rather than saving the budget. Ana Jovanovic, Environmental Engineer, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ancikina@gmail.com +60183555247

1. Introduction Solar energy is created by nuclear fusion that takes place in the Sun. Fusion occurs when protons of hydrogen atoms violently collide in the S un’s core and fuse to create a helium atom. This process, known as a PP (proton-proton) chain reaction, emits an enormous amount of energy. In its core, the sun fuses about 620 million metric tons of hydrogen every second. The PP chain reaction occurs in other stars that are about the size of our Sun, and provides them with continuous energy and heat. The temperature for these stars is around 4 million degrees on the Kelvin scale (about 4 million degrees Celsius, 7 million degrees Fahrenheit). 1 Solar panels are devices that convert the Sun's light in to usable solar energy using N-type and P-type semiconductor material. When sunlight is absorbed by these materials, the solar energy knocks electrons loose from their atoms, allowing the electrons to flow through the material to produce electricity. This process of converting light (photons) to electricity (voltage) is called the photovoltaic (PV) effect. Currently solar panels convert most of the visible light spectrum and about half of the ultraviolet and infrared light spectrum to usable solar energy. Solar energy technologies use the Sun's energy and light to provide heat, light, hot water, electricity, and even cooling, for homes, businesses, and industry. 2 Solar photovoltaic systems are one of the most famous and most efficient energy absorption systems in the world. On global level Solar PV takes one of the highest positions when it comes to renewable energy usage, but its real advantage is definitely shown in equatorial countries such as Malaysia. Geographical areas that are under 365 days of summer, the ones with no snow and unstable weather conditions are the ones that are hosting the most comfortable environment for the Solar PV installations. Solar cells, also called photovoltaic (PV) cells by scientists, convert sunlight directly into electricity. PV gets its name from the process of converting light (photons) to electricity (voltage), which is called the PV effect. The PV effect was discovered in 1954, when scientists at Bell Telephone discovered that silicon (an element found in sand) created an electric charge when exposed to sunlight. Soon solar cells were being used to power space satellites and smaller items like calculators and watches. 3 Traditional solar cells are made from silicon, are usually flat-plate, and generally are the most efficient. Second-generation solar cells are called thin-film solar cells because they are made from amorphous silicon or non-silicon materials such as cadmium telluride. Thin film solar cells use layers of semiconductor materials only a few micrometers thick. Because of their flexibility, thin film solar cells can double as rooftop shingles and tiles, building facades, or the glazing for skylights. 4 1 www.nationalgeographic.org 2 www.renewableenergyworld.com 3 www.nrel.gov 4 Ibid

2. Kyoto protocol and Paris agreement and their influence on introduction of Solar Energy 2.1 Kyoto protocol The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which commits its Parties by setting internationally binding emission reduction targets. Recognizing that developed countries are principally responsible for the current high levels of GHG (Green House Gas) emissions in the atmosphere as a result of more than 150 years of industrial activity, the Protocol places a heavier burden on developed nations under the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities." The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, on 11 th December 1997 and entered into force on 16 th February 2005. The detailed rules for the implementation of the Protocol were adopted at COP 7 in Marrakesh, Morocco, in 2001, and are referred to as the "Marrakesh Accords." Its first commitment period started in 2008 and ended in 2012. On 21 st December 2012, the amendment was circulated by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, acting in his capacity as Depositary, to all Parties to the Kyoto Protocol in accordance with Articles 20. and 21. of the Protocol. During the first commitment period, 37 industrialized countries and the European Community committed to reduce GHG emissions to an average of five percent against 1990 levels. During the second commitment period, Parties committed to reduce GHG emissions by at least 18 percent below 1990 levels in the eight-year period from 2013 to 2020; however, the composition of Parties in the second commitment period is different from the first. 5 As a developing country, Malaysia has no quantitative commitments under the Kyoto Protocol at present. However, together with all other countries, Malaysia is already committed under the UNFCCC to formulate, implement, publish and regularly update national and, where appropriate, regional programmes containing measures to mitigate climate change by addressing anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of all greenhouse gases. 6 Malaysian government signed and ratified Kyoto protocol in year 2005 and since then it formed several ministries and agencies which are working on the strategy implementation and the promotion of the industries which are leading to decrease of the GHG emissions. 5 unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol/items/2830.php 6 http://ppkas.unimap.edu.my