FREE MALAYSIA TODAY. 10TH JUNE: Industry players say the government should emulate developed nations by incentivising homeowners to encourage adoption of solar power.
The government should provide subsidies to homeowners wanting to install solar panels to encourage the adoption of solar power, the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia (Rehda) said.
Rehda president NK Tong said any move to make it compulsory for solar panels to be fitted into newly constructed houses must involve the provision of appropriate incentives, including subsidies.
Last month Sarawak’s deputy utility and telecommunications minister Abdul Rahman Junaidi said the state is contemplating making solar panels compulsory, especially for urban homes.
Legislative amendments are being considered to give the requirement the force of law, he said, according to the Borneo Post.
However, Tong said Peninsular Malaysia was unlikely to adopt a similar measure any time soon due to the higher cost of homes compared with those in Sabah and Sarawak.
The rakyat should be given a choice as to whether they want a home with solar power, and whether they are prepared to pay more for it, he told FMT.
“If governments want to move forward to fit new houses with solar panels, the model adopted by many governments worldwide is to provide subsidies to incentivise the adoption,” he added.
Davis Chong, president of the Malaysian Photovoltaic Industry Association, told FMT that, if made mandatory, property developers would require aid in the form of government subsidies.
“The high initial cost can be a major challenge for the residential sector, so the government could consider incentives such as personal income tax relief, as well as interest-free or subsidised loans for homeowners who install solar systems,” Davis told FMT.
Three companies that specialise in the installation of solar panels told FMT that solar panel prices would range from RM16,000 for a terraced house to RM49,000 for a detached bungalow, depending on energy requirements.
Homeowner Annuar Zaini said the panels were a good investment.
“Before installing solar panels, my electricity bill ranged from RM1,200 to RM1,600 a month. Now, having had solar panels for the past seven months, my bill is typically RM55 a month, but it has been as low as RM8,” said Annuar, who is UDA Holdings chairman.
He said the government should take the lead by encouraging the use of solar panels in public buildings, especially schools.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) president Sarly Adre Sarkum said, in the long run, solar panels would bring savings for homeowners through lower electricity bills.
“This can have a positive effect on the region’s economy by fostering local economic growth, generating employment possibilities in the solar sector, and reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels,” Sarly told FMT.
Sarly hopes Peninsular Malaysia will move to make solar panels mandatory in new residential areas.
“Meticulous planning, policy execution, and stakeholder participation are required to succeed,” he said.