Potential of global solar radiation as future energy source in southern region of peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

Energy sector in Malaysia is still adopting conventional method in electricity generation by using fossil fuel. The effect of fossil fuel utilization in electricity generation is releasing of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere specifically carbon dioxide (CO2). Releasing of uncontrolled GHGs may cause the earth to suffer from global warming. This paper is conducted to study the solar radiation potential at Southern Region of Peninsular Malaysia specifically in Iskandar Malaysia (IM) Region. The daily and annual means of solar radiation is analysed in order to examine the potential of solar energy to be energy source for electricity generation in the future. The results in this study indicate that the annual average of global solar radiation is higher in year 2010 with value of 13.31 MJ/m2/day whilst the lowest value of global solar radiation is recorded in year 2013 at 12.48 MJ/m2/day. The daily maximum global solar radiation values was collected on month of May and September during Southeast Monsoon. The daily minimum global solar radiation values was collected on January and December during Southeast Monsoon. The results also indicate that the maximum and minimum solar radiation captured 694 kWh/day and 651 kWh/day respectively. The results achieved in this study show that the potential to adopt solar energy as future energy source is very encouraging for energy sector.