Solar PV Analysis of Sungai Buloh, Malaysia
Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia is a good location for generating solar energy throughout the year due to its tropical climate. The amount of sunlight here is consistent most of the time, which means that solar panels can produce electricity constantly. On average, each kilowatt of installed solar power can generate around 5.39 kilowatt-hours per day in summer and autumn, slightly less at 5.26 kWh/day during winter and slightly more at 5.44kWh/day in spring.
Since there's not much variation in sunlight throughout the year, it's ideal to generate solar energy all year round at this location. However, the best times would be during summer and spring when sunlight is just a bit stronger than other seasons.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting them towards South by three degrees would maximize total yearly production from these panels as it aligns with sun’s path across sky.
However, there might be some factors that could potentially reduce solar production here. Being located in tropics means Sungai Buloh experiences wet and dry seasons rather than traditional four seasons; heavy rainfall or cloud cover during wet season could obstruct direct sunlight reaching the panels thus reducing their efficiency temporarily.
Also local buildings or trees might cast shadows on your panels depending on where they are installed which again reduces their efficiency momentarily until shadow moves away from them.
To overcome these issues you could consider installing your system with trackers that follow sun’s path across sky ensuring maximum exposure to direct sunlight even if there are temporary obstructions like clouds or shadows from nearby structures/trees etc., but this comes with increased installation cost obviously.
Additionally regular cleaning & maintenance of your system especially after heavy rainfall will help ensure greater energy production as dirty or damaged panels won't work efficiently compared to clean ones in good condition.
It's also recommended to consult with local experts who know area well before deciding exact placement & orientation of your system so you get the most out of your 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 Sungai Buloh
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 3.1621, Longitude: 101.5976 (Sungai Buloh, 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 Sungai Buloh, Malaysia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sungai Buloh, Malaysia (Lat/Long 3.1621, 101.5976) 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 Sungai Buloh, 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 Sungai Buloh, 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 Sungai Buloh, 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 Sungai Buloh, 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 Sungai Buloh, Malaysia
Sungai Buloh, Malaysia is located in the state of Selangor and features a tropical rainforest climate. The topography around Sungai Buloh is generally flat with slight undulations, making it suitable for agriculture and development.
The region gets ample sunlight throughout the year due to its equatorial location, which makes it an excellent site for solar PV installations. However, factors such as land availability and usage need to be considered.
Areas that might be suited for large-scale solar PV would include:
1. Unused or underutilized agricultural lands: These areas can be converted into solar farms without significantly impacting existing land use.
2. Industrial zones: Rooftops of factories and warehouses in industrial zones could also house solar panels.
3. Brownfield sites: These are previously developed lands that are not currently in use - they can potentially be repurposed for renewable energy projects like solar farms.
4. Landfills or waste disposal sites: These sites could also serve as potential locations for setting up large-scale solar PV systems since they are usually not suitable for other types of development due to contamination issues.
5. Floating Solar Systems on Reservoirs/Water Bodies: As Sungai Buloh has several reservoirs nearby (e.g., Sungai Tinggi Dam), floating photovoltaic systems could also be installed on these water bodies to generate electricity while reducing evaporation losses from these reservoirs at the same time.
However, any decision should take into account environmental impacts, local regulations, grid connectivity issues and community acceptance among others before proceeding with a project of this scale.
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: Monday 29th of April 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.
