Solar PV Analysis of Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
In Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia, situated at a latitude of 3.0995 and longitude of 101.6054, the average daily energy production per kilowatt (kW) of installed solar capacity is remarkably consistent throughout the year. During summer and autumn seasons, the average yield is approximately 5.39 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. This slightly decreases to an average of 5.26 kWh during winter but increases to about 5.44 kWh in spring.
Petaling Jaya's tropical location contributes significantly to its potential for solar power generation as it experiences abundant sunlight throughout the year with minimal seasonal variation in weather conditions. This provides a stable environment conducive for harnessing solar energy consistently all-year-round.
However, despite this ideal geographic position for generating power via photovoltaic (PV) systems, some local factors may affect the overall productivity of a PV installation in Petaling Jaya.
One such factor includes potential shading from nearby structures or vegetation that could obstruct direct sunlight onto the panels and thus reduce their efficiency in converting sunlight into electricity.
To prevent this issue from affecting the performance of your PV system installation, it would be prudent to ensure that your panels are positioned so they are free from any possible obstructions which could cause shading on them throughout different times during daylight hours.
Another factor that might impact PV performance is dust or debris accumulation on panel surfaces which can reduce their ability to capture sunlight effectively over time.
Regular cleaning and maintenance schedules should be implemented as preventative measures against such issues which will help ensure optimal energy production from your PV system installation over its lifespan.
Furthermore, it's worth noting that at this location in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia; fixed-panel installations should ideally be tilted at an angle directed towards 3 degrees South for maximum exposure to sun rays across all seasons - optimizing overall annual yield from your PV system investment.
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 Petaling Jaya
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 3.0995, Longitude: 101.6054 (Petaling Jaya, 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 3° South in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia (Lat/Long 3.0995, 101.6054) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 3° 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 Petaling Jaya, 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 Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 3° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13° North in Summer | 9° South in Autumn | 18° South in Winter | 3° 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 Petaling Jaya, 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 Petaling Jaya, 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 Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
The topography around Petaling Jaya, Malaysia is mostly flat with some hills and small mountains. Areas to the north and west of the city are more suitable for large-scale solar PV installations due to their higher levels of direct sunlight. In particular, areas near Bukit Gasing and Bukit Raja are ideal for solar PV due to their open spaces and clear skies. Additionally, areas along the Federal Highway offer good potential for solar energy production as they have a relatively low amount of shade from trees or buildings.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 23rd of August 2023
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
