4 Things to Consider Before Installing Solar in Malaysia

For Homeowners & Businesses In Malaysia

Solar panels are more visible than ever in Malaysia — on rooftops, shop lots, factories, and warehouses. And that visibility can create pressure. Sometimes it’s subtle (“everyone has it”), sometimes it’s urgent (“tariff naik again la wei”), sometimes it’s hopeful (“maybe my TNB bill can finally drop if I install solar”).

But here’s the truth most people only realise after installing solar on their rooftops: Just because your neighbour has solar, it doesn’t always mean you should too. A good solar system has to match your life or your operations. When it doesn’t match, you get a setup that doesn’t perform the way you expected it to.

This guide is for homeowners and businesses in Malaysia searching:

Is solar worth it in Malaysia?
How to choose solar system size?
Why is my solar system not saving me money?
What to consider before installing solar panels in my home or factory?

**1) Your savings depend on when you use electricity, not just how high your TNB bill is**

The biggest misunderstanding about solar is thinking: “High bill = big solar savings.” This is because solar panels generate power mainly in the daytime. So the real question actually is:

Do you use electricity during the day?

Homeowner example
Raj's and Henry's home both have a RM400–RM600 monthly TNB bill.

Raj’s home: Someone is usually home during the day. Air-conditioning runs, pets are indoors, appliances and background loads are active.
Henry’s home: The house is empty most of the day. Most electricity use happens at night.

Even though their bills look similar, their solar outcomes would be very different. Because Raj uses power while solar generation is high, more of his solar energy is actually consumed. Henry, on the other hand, isn’t home most of the time when solar is producing power — so much of that potential value goes unused. ‍

What to do:
Before solar system sizing, look at your usage timing:

Day vs night usage
Weekdays vs weekends
Seasonal changes (Ex: Are many people at home during festive seasons and long breaks?)

Note: If you use a lot of electricity at night and want to reduce that portion too, a battery energy storage system (BESS) could be useful. It stores excess solar energy and discharges it when solar generation is low.

‍2) Your bill amount isn’t the same as how your bill is calculated (commercial & industrial)

Point #1 (above) was about when you use electricity. Point 2 is about how TNB charges you for electricity. This is where many businesses get caught off guard. Many people assume a TNB bill works like this:
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But for many businesses, that’s only part of the bill. A TNB bill can include different charges depending on:

your tariff
any sudden electricity demand
how high your power usage spikes at specific moments

Why this matters for businesses

Some businesses find out too late that a big part of their bill comes from short bursts of heavy usage, not just total energy used. For example:

multiple machines starting at the same time
equipment switching on together after breaks
sudden load increases during certain operations

These short moments can quietly push bills up — even if total monthly usage doesn’t look extreme.

What solar helps with — and what it doesn’t

Solar helps reduce electricity drawn from the grid during the day.
Solar alone may not reduce charges caused by sudden usage spikes (Maximum Demand). This is where battery energy storage (BESS) or better load control may come in — especially if the goal is to smooth out peak energy demand, not just generate energy.

So instead of asking: “Will solar reduce my bill?”

A better question is: Which part of my bill is actually expensive — daily energy use, maximum demand charges, or both?

3) The “silent electricity” in your home or building changes solar results more than people realise

A lot of people only think about big obvious usage:

air-conditioning
machinery
production
cooking

But real bills are often shaped by what’s running quietly all day.

Homes

fridge / freezer
router, CCTV, standby devices
daytime AC for pets or family
appliances running in the background

Businesses

cold rooms, compressors
servers, ventilation, lighting
idle or standby equipment drawing power

This matters because solar doesn’t only help with “big moments”. It often performs best when it offsets consistent daytime baseline usage.

What to do:
List what’s running even when you “feel like nothing is running.” That baseline is usually the part solar can reliably cover.

4. Don’t get trapped by “fast payback” thinking

Payback period matters — but problems start when it becomes the only thing people look at. When someone is focused purely on payback, the natural instinct is to ask: “How can I save more with solar?” And that’s usually where oversizing comes in.

Why people oversize solar systems (and why it could backfire sometimes). People oversize because it sounds logical:

“Bigger system means more savings.”
“Just max it out now, future-proof.”
“Electricity tariff will go up anyway, confirm worth it to install more.”

On paper, these ideas feel sensible. In reality, they often ignore how electricity is actually used. When a system is larger than what you can realistically consume, it can lead to:

solar generation that isn’t fully used
savings that look great in proposals but don’t show up month to month
expectations that don’t match real usage behaviour

This is why some people say: “My solar system is big, but the savings don’t feel big.” ‍

Why Choosing the Right Solar Schemes Matter

In Malaysia, options like Solar ATAP and SELCO are often discussed. But no scheme automatically guarantees better results. The right setup depends on:

how much electricity you use during the day
whether exporting excess solar energy makes sense for you
how flexible you want your solar system to be long-term
Bigger is not always better; Better matched is better.
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The mistake people make (don’t make this mistake)

People think solar is a product. It’s not. It’s a behaviour-and-bill system. If solar is designed without understanding:

your day vs night usage
your tariff structure
your baseline loads
your realistic future changes

Then even a “good solar brand” installation can feel like:

savings are inconsistent
the system doesn’t match expectations
the results are hard to explain to your boss / spouse‍

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The one question to ask your trusted solar service provider

“How did you decide the system size?”

Ask them for the actual numbers behind the payback. And also ask what those numbers are based on. Not just"6 years" "7 years" — but how they got there.

What usage pattern is assumed?
What happens if your lifestyle, business hours, or operations change?
What happens if exported solar energy is lower or higher than expected?
What long-term performance and maintenance costs are assumed?

A strong answer should include:

your usage behaviour (day vs night)
your tariff / cost drivers
your goals (cost control, stability, sustainability)
only then the recommended system sizing + scheme fit

If the answer jumps straight to panels, capacity, and savings — you’re looking at a proposal built on assumptions.
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Basically, solar either works for you or it doesn’t. Solar is not “get it because others got it.” Solar is:

a financial decision
an energy behaviour decision
a long-term system decision

If it fits your life or operations, solar can be a strong move in Malaysia. If it doesn’t, the smartest decision is to pause, clarify, and size it correctly — not rush.
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‍FAQ

1) Solar ATAP vs SELCO — which solar scheme should I choose in Malaysia?

It depends on whether your priority is self-consumption, how export of excess solar energy is handled, and what suits your usage pattern (home vs business). The best choice comes after checking your daytime usage and bill structure.

2) Is solar worth it if my electricity bill is below RM300 / RM500?

If your electricity bill is around RM300 or below, solar is usually not the most effective place to start if your goal is to reduce monthly costs. At this level, electricity usage is relatively low. Solar can still make sense for long-term reasons, but most people at this range won’t feel a big difference on their bill.

If your bill is closer to RM500 or above, solar becomes much more practical. Usage at this level is high enough for solar to offset a noticeable portion of electricity consumption, especially if there is daytime usage. This is typically where solar starts delivering clearer, more consistent value.

3) Does solar work during rain / cloudy weather in Malaysia?

Yes. Solar panels still generate electricity on cloudy and rainy days, just at lower levels. Performance is designed to average out over time, not depend on perfect weather every day.

4) Do I need battery storage (BESS) with solar?

‍Homeowners: Not always. Many homes benefit from solar without batteries if there’s daytime usage. ‍
Businesses: BESS may be relevant if TNB bill costs are driven by demand spikes, or if you want better control beyond solar hours.

5) How often do solar panels need cleaning or maintenance in Malaysia?

Solar systems are low-maintenance, but they are not maintenance-free. In Malaysia, dust, bird droppings, rain residue, and environmental buildup can affect panel performance over time. Periodic cleaning and inspection help keep the system operating as intended and allow small issues to be identified early.

At Sunview Group Bhd, maintenance focuses on keeping solar systems performing as expected over the long term — through routine checks, cleaning where needed, and condition monitoring — so performance doesn’t quietly degrade.

6) Can I add more solar panels later?

Often yes, but it depends on roof space, inverter capacity, and how the original system was designed. Planning for expansion early makes upgrades easier.
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Our Energy Experts are Here

Solar decisions shouldn’t be rushed — and they shouldn’t be based on comparisons. If you’re considering solar, the right next step is understanding how it fits your usage, your costs, and your long-term plans — not someone else’s outcome.

At Sunview, we help homeowners and businesses evaluate solar based on real operating behaviour and practical assumptions — so decisions are made with clarity. If you’re exploring solar and want to know whether it truly makes sense for you, let’s talk.

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