The feasibility study of solar PV lighting: In Universiti Teknologi MARA Sarawak

Malaysia is gearing towards renewable energy source and is blessed with an excellent geographical location, providing abundant solar energy. Improvement in solar panel efficiency and reduction in panel cost has made solar energy a viable option for renewable energy and is being adopted in utility-scale installation around the world with one of the lowest levelized cost of electricity index. This study aims to determine the financial feasibility of a small scale solar lighting system in UiTM Sarawak. A solar irradiance meter is used to intermittently measure hourly solar power output at the targeted location. The tilt angle and panel direction as well as operation and maintenance cost has been taken into consideration. Analysis of collected data has shown that UiTM Sarawak has a median peak sun hour of 4.44 hours with maximum irradiance of over 1kW/m
²
. Installation of off-grid solar lighting would eventually cost RM0.54/day in seven years time with equivalent electricity saving of only RM0.10/day. For a conventional grid-connect of lighting system, the operation cost would be RM0.88/day when the procurement, installation, electricity and wiring cost is taken into account, tipping the advantage towards solar lighting. UiTM Sarawak has great untapped solar power reserve but a different approach would be required to economically maximise its potential.