Solar technology and building implementation in Malaysia: A national paradigm shift

Solar technology is becoming increasingly popular. For example, the production of solar cells quadrupled in the 1999-2004 period, with a capacity of four gigawatts worldwide. Renewable energy including solar power produces few or no harmful emissions and it is becoming increasingly important to exploit it in the future. This paper presents a literature review of the application of numerous types of solar technology in buildings in Malaysia and identifies the challenges faced. Although several newly constructed green buildings use solar technology, Malaysia has yet to accept it wholesale. If solar technology is to be adopted widely, then both public and private sectors must cooperate to provide large-scale financial incentives and produce specialists in solar technology. As the first step, the government has established the Low Energy Office and the Green Energy Office, which use passive solar design and photovoltaic systems in their own buildings. However, the private sector has yet to follow suit. It is anticipated that the application of solar technology in buildings will encourage sustainable development when all non-renewable energy sources decrease significantly. If people do not recognise the potential of such technology in daily life, it will soon be too late.