Let Penang have its PVA solar panels, Zairil tells POE, PETRA

Penang state exco for infrastructure, transport and digital Zairil Khir Johari called out the Department of Environment (DOE) for being an impediment to Penang implementing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solar panels as it moves towards efficient sustainable energy.

“Penang is looking to have floating PVA solar panels. We want to implement it but the DOE is objecting to it.

“DOE and PETRA should look into this,” said Zairil while delivering his opening ceremony speech.

PETRA is the Malay acronym for Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation.

“If Singapore and other countries can do it, I don’t see why we can’t re-solarise solar panels on water dams,” Zairil added.

“Floating solar project is also an important component in the newly reclaimed Penang Silicon Island (PSI) considering the area is being actively developed and requires renewable energy sources as an alternative energy supply.

“The island’s Green Tech Park, the centrepiece of its sustainability vision, will be 100% powered by renewable energy for the first phase via extensive rooftop solar photovoltaic installations and off-site renewable energy procurement.”

Earlier on he also spoke about Penang Energy Framework which is the state’s roadmap to achieve the 2030 renewable energy and energy efficiency targets.

“For example, new commercial and industrial buildings in Penang are now required to meet specific energy use and management standards i.e to source a portion of their energy sources based on Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) commercial and industrial tariff categories: either 25% (low voltage), 5% (medium voltage) or 2% (high voltage) RE according to their usage or 75% of the roof to be covered with solar photovoltaic.

“On top of that, new commercial buildings with air-conditioned spaces exceeding 4,000m2 also need to source at least 2% of their total energy from renewable sources ensuring that as our economy continues to grow, it does so efficiently, responsibly, and sustainably.

“This effort aligns perfectly with the Federal Government’s new Solar ATAP programme, which offers greater flexibility for solar installations.

“Together, these initiatives create an enabling environment for wider renewable energy adoption across the state.”