Solar PV Analysis of Marabu, Malaysia
The location at Marabu, Sarawak, Malaysia is generally suitable for year-round solar energy production due to its consistent sunlight throughout the year. The amount of energy that can be generated varies slightly with each season, but it's typically around 5.64 kilowatt-hours per day for every kilowatt of solar installed.
During summer and autumn, you can expect about 5.62 and 5.60 kilowatt-hours per day respectively. In winter, the energy production dips slightly to about 5.15 kilowatt-hours per day, but it increases again in spring to approximately 6.18 kilowatt-hours per day.
So, while there are some seasonal variations in the amount of solar energy that can be produced at this location, they are relatively small and shouldn't significantly impact the overall annual output.
In terms of maximizing solar production at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 4 degrees towards the South is recommended as this will allow them to capture more sunlight year-round.
However, there may be local factors such as environmental conditions or topography that could potentially impede solar production here. For instance:
1) Rainy Season: Given that Marabu is located in a tropical region which typically experiences heavy rainfall during certain parts of the year (especially during monsoon season), these periods could result in less sunlight reaching your panels and therefore lower power generation.
2) Shading: Any nearby buildings or trees could also potentially cast shadows on your panels and reduce their output.
To help ensure greater energy production despite these potential challenges:
a) Waterproofing Measures: Consider installing waterproof equipment or taking other measures to protect your system from heavy rainfall.
b) Positioning & Landscaping: Make sure your panels are positioned in a way that avoids shading from nearby structures or vegetation as much as possible – you might need to trim any overhanging branches etc.
c) Regular Cleaning: Regularly cleaning your panels can also help to maintain their performance, especially during the rainy season when they might get dirty more quickly.
Overall, while there are some potential challenges to consider, with the right setup and maintenance, Marabu could be a good location for solar energy production.
Note: The Tropics are located between 23.5° North and -23.5° South of the equator.
So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 77 locations across Malaysia. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Malaysia by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Marabu
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 4.2702, Longitude: 113.9693 (Marabu, Malaysia), based on our analysis of 8760 hourly intervals of solar and meteorological data (one whole year) retrieved for that set of coordinates/location from NASA POWER (The Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources) API:
Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 4° South in Marabu, Malaysia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Marabu, Malaysia (Lat/Long 4.2702, 113.9693) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 4° South for fixed panel installations.
As the Earth revolves around the Sun each year, the maximum angle of elevation of the Sun varies by +/- 23.45 degrees from its equinox elevation angle for a particular latitude. Finding the exact optimal angle to maximise solar PV production throughout the year can be challenging, but with careful consideration of historical solar energy and meteorological data for a certain location, it can be done precisely.
We use our own calculation, which incorporates NASA solar and meteorological data for the exact Lat/Long coordinates, to determine the ideal tilt angle of a solar panel that will yield maximum annual solar output. We calculate the optimal angle for each day of the year, taking into account its contribution to the yearly total PV potential at that specific location.
Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Marabu, Malaysia
If you can adjust the tilt angle of your solar PV panels, please refer to the seasonal tilt angles below for optimal solar energy production in Marabu, Malaysia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 4° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12° North in Summer | 10° South in Autumn | 20° South in Winter | 2° North in Spring |
Our recommendations take into account more than just latitude and Earth's position in its elliptical orbit around the Sun. We also incorporate historical solar and meteorological data from NASA's Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) API to assign a weight to each ideal angle for each day based on its historical contribution to overall solar PV potential during a specific season.
This approach allows us to provide much more accurate recommendations than relying solely on latitude, as it considers unique weather conditions in different locations sharing the same latitude worldwide.
Calculate solar panel row spacing in Marabu, Malaysia
We've added a feature to calculate minimum solar panel row spacing by location. Enter your panel size and orientation below to get the minimum spacing in Marabu, Malaysia.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - Minimum Spacing:
We add the shadow length to the horizontal space occupied by tilted panels.
This approach ensures maximum space efficiency while avoiding shading during critical times, as the Winter solstice represents the worst-case scenario for shadow length.
Topography for solar PV around Marabu, Malaysia
Marabu, in the state of Sarawak, Malaysia is located in a region characterized by coastal plains and lowland rainforests. The topography is relatively flat with small hills. The area experiences a tropical rainforest climate with high temperatures and humidity levels throughout the year.
For large-scale solar PV installations, areas with flat topography are generally preferred as they require less site preparation and are easier to install and maintain. In addition, areas with higher solar irradiance (the amount of sunlight received) would also be more suitable for solar PV.
Given these considerations, the coastal plains around Marabu could potentially be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. However, it's important to note that such projects would need to take into consideration other factors such as environmental impact (especially given the region's rich biodiversity), land ownership issues, access to grid infrastructure for power distribution etc.
Moreover, Sarawak has an abundance of hydroelectric power which currently meets most of its electricity needs. Thus any decision on large-scale solar PV would also need to consider its cost-effectiveness relative to other available sources of renewable energy.
Malaysia solar PV Stats as a country
Malaysia ranks 33rd in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 1,787 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 2.40% of Malaysia's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 32nd in the world). Each year Malaysia is generating 55 Watts from solar PV per capita (Malaysia ranks 51st in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Malaysia?
Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Malaysia. The Malaysian government offers a range of financial incentives and tax breaks for businesses that invest in renewable energy projects. These include the Renewable Energy Fund (REF), which provides grants and loans to support the development of renewable energy projects; the Green Technology Financing Scheme (GTFS), which provides financing for green technology investments; and the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme, which guarantees a fixed price for electricity generated from renewable sources. Additionally, businesses may be eligible for capital allowances on their investments in solar energy systems.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Malaysia? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Friday 19th of January 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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Compare this location to others worldwide for solar PV potential
The solar PV analyses available on our website, including this one, are offered as a free service to the global community. Our aim is to provide education and aid informed decision-making regarding solar PV installations.
However, please note that these analyses are general guidance and may not meet specific project requirements. For in-depth, tailored forecasts and analysis crucial for feasibility studies or when pursuing maximum ROI from your solar projects, feel free to contact us; we offer comprehensive consulting services expressly for this purpose.
Helping you assess viability of solar PV for your site
Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide
Enhance your solar panel's performance with our in-depth guide. Determine the best tilt angle using hard data, debunk common misunderstandings, and gain insight into how your specific location affects solar energy production.
