Solar PV Analysis of Skudai, Malaysia
Skudai, Johor, Malaysia is a great place for generating solar energy all year round. This is because it's located in the tropics where sunlight is consistent throughout most of the year. The amount of electricity that can be produced from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels varies slightly with the seasons but remains relatively high: 4.77 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer, 5.08 kWh/day in autumn, 5.01 kWh/day in winter and 5.41 kWh/day in spring.
The best time to generate solar power at this location would be during spring when daily output reaches its peak at an average of 5.41 kWh per kW of installed solar panel capacity.
If you're installing fixed panels here, you should tilt them at an angle facing one degree south to maximize their exposure to sunlight and increase total annual production.
However, there are some factors that could potentially affect your solar production here:
1) Rainy Season: Skudai experiences wet and dry seasons rather than traditional four-season weather patterns common in temperate regions like Europe or North America. During the rainy season (usually between November and February), heavy rainfall might reduce sunlight availability hence affecting energy production.
2) Dust & Debris: High humidity levels combined with dust particles can lead to accumulation on panel surfaces which may lower efficiency over time if not regularly cleaned.
To address these issues:
1) You could consider using adjustable mounting systems for your panels so they can be tilted more optimally during different periods of the year depending on sun position and seasonal weather conditions.
2) Regular cleaning maintenance will help ensure that dust and debris do not accumulate on your panels' surface thus maintaining their efficiency.
Overall, Skudai offers excellent potential for harnessing clean renewable energy through photovoltaic technology despite minor challenges related to local climatic conditions which can be effectively managed through proper installation and maintenance practices.
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 Skudai
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 1.5333, Longitude: 103.6542 (Skudai, 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 1° South in Skudai, Malaysia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Skudai, Malaysia (Lat/Long 1.5333, 103.6542) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 1° 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 Skudai, 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 Skudai, Malaysia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 1° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15° North in Summer | 7° South in Autumn | 17° South in Winter | 4° 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 Skudai, 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 Skudai, 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 Skudai, Malaysia
Skudai, Malaysia is located in the southern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The topography of this area is generally flat with some hilly areas. It lies on the lowland coastal plains and has an average elevation of about 15 meters above sea level.
The climate in Skudai is tropical, characterized by high humidity and temperatures ranging from 22 to 32 degrees Celsius throughout the year. Rainfall is abundant and evenly distributed throughout the year, but there are also periods of sunshine that make it possible for solar PV installations.
For large-scale solar PV installations, areas with flat terrain are typically more suitable as they require less site preparation work compared to sloping or hilly terrains. Therefore, the flat coastal plains around Skudai could potentially be suitable for such installations.
However, other factors need to be considered when determining suitability for solar PV projects including availability of land (whether it's agricultural land or protected areas), proximity to power grids for connection and distribution purposes, local regulations regarding renewable energy projects etc.
In terms of specific locations near Skudai that may be suitable:
1) UTM (Universiti Teknologi Malaysia) campus: This large area has several open spaces that could potentially accommodate a sizable solar farm.
2) Senai Industrial Park: This industrial zone might have available rooftops on factories where large-scale solar panels can be installed.
3) Rural areas west or east of Skudai: These regions appear to have larger tracts of relatively unused land which might be appropriate for a large-scale solar project.
Remember these suggestions would still need thorough feasibility studies before proceeding with any kind of development.
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: Thursday 11th of July 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.
