UTM extends solar use to fishing boats, raft village in Malaysia

Source: UTM. Researchers installing solar technology
on a fishing boat.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), a research university that is known for its solar technology initiatives for the benefit of the society and environment, has been involved in the installation of eco-friendly solar panels in several projects.

UTM's School of Electrical Engineering researchers worked on UTM Smart Eco-Photovoltaic Boat, a solar photovoltaic (PV) system development project involving the fishing community in Kampung Mersing Kanan Johor, Malaysia. Institut Latihan Perindustrian Kepala Batas and the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia are also project collaborators.

While the replacement of portable diesel generators with solar PV systems to is common in developed countries, adoption is still low in Malaysia. UTM has begun with replacing diesel generators on boats with solar panels. They used simple modules that new users can easily maintain, and developed a step-by-step maintenance guide as well as a primer for solar concepts.

According to Project Leader, Dr Syed Norazizul Syed Nasir, a Senior Lecturer at the School of Electrical Engineering, UTM, PV solar energy is expected to provide more environment-friendly options to fishing boat owners while reducing the purchase of diesel.

The first boat was fitted with the PV solar energy system in April 2021. The system is considered a success as the anglers are still using it to date.

UTM is also working on providing solar electricity to a raft house village known as Perkampungan Rumah Rakit Kampung Linting, on Pulau Tanjung Surat, Johor. The village is now the only raft house village in Malaysia that uses a solar-based renewable electricity supply. Prior to the project, some residents connected their own electric wiring to distant electricity supplies, without adding any safety systems. This is the third corporate social responsibility (CSR) project between Bank Islam Malaysia and UTM. Other project collaborators include ILP Kepala Batas, ILP Pasir Gudang, Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan, Politeknik Port Dickson and Kolej Komuniti Segamat 2.

"With full sponsorship from Sadaqa House, Bank Islam and installation initiatives by UTM and partners, the solar electricity system provided has enabled the residents to use safe and continuous supply of electricity for the load of lamps and fans in 13 raft houses," said the Project Leader, Ts.* Dr Zulkarnain Ahmad Noorden, Senior Lecturer at the UTM School of Electrical Engineering.

There are three phases involved for the project, beginning with the transfer of knowledge to the residents on solar system; then the installation of electrical wiring for all homes, and finally the implementation of a complete solar electrical power system, including the installation of solar panels, inverters and solar batteries. Energy limiters will control the daily consumption of electricity for each house.

*Ts. is a technology-related professional title.