Solar Hybrid System @ Pahang

There are 476kWp of solar PV installed using the concept of Hybrid System in Malaysia and is increasing. The system are all located at remote area, including small island. One of the successful project is the one in aborigine's village in Pahang. It is indeed a very small capacity project that gave great impact to the acceptance of Solar Hybrid in Malaysia and to the community.

The 10kWp solar PV is hybrided with 12kW diesel genset. The objective of the project is to provide a proper electricity to the villagers through a sustained energy and require less intervention from the villagers and the operator. Before the solar hybrid system, villagers are using a common diesel genset which was financed, operated and maintained by the community itself. With the solar hybrid system, the villagers no need to worry about the operation, maintenance and the cost as it will be taken care by the operator, which is the utility company. The villagers only pay for the energy that they consumed based on the standard national tariff. The system is a success whereby the operator only visit the village once a month to read the customers' meter and check the station. Once in a few months, the operator will supply the diesel for the self-operated station.

After almost 7 years in operation, the electricity project has provide a significant social impact to the community. Starting with a humble 15 customers in 2002, the number has grown to 24. Apart from the night lighting and fan during hot time, almost every house in the village are now equipped with refrigerator, TV and even ASTRO. One of the villagers also open a small grocery shop! The use of these equipment shows that the social and economic quality of life has improved. It is also not too optimist to assume than the education quality is also improved in parallel. The development of the village can also be seen from the increasing numbers of population and better road infrastucture.