Smart photovoltaic company Trinasolar is poised to leverage the success of Malaysia’s largest hybrid solar project to expand similar initiatives across Southeast Asia, recognizing substantial potential in the region.
In Southeast Asia, rapid economic development and increasing energy demands are often coupled with limited land availability. Floating solar presents an attractive solution by generating clean energy without using valuable land. Additionally, floating solar installations benefit from higher energy efficiencies achieved as a result of the cooling effect of water. Reservoirs with floating solar also benefit as there is less water evaporation.
One such successful application is Cypark Resources Berhad’s (Cypark Resources) 100MWac hybrid solar farm in Merchang, a coastal town in Malaysia’s northeastern state of Terengganu. This innovative plant has entered commercial operation and is projected to generate enough clean energy to offset 202,024 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
Cypark Resources executive chairperson, Dato’ Ami Moris, says: “This is Malaysia’s largest hybrid solar power plant and consists of 35MW floating solar panels on the water surface and 65MW solar panels installed on land. This project demonstrates Cypark’s ability to integrate solar power plant development with the natural environment of Terengganu, which is susceptible to flooding.”
The installation uses Trinasolar’s 210 Vertex 590-595W bifacial modules (model number DEG20C.20). Elva Wang, Head of Southeast Asia at Trinasolar says: “This complex project’s successful operation is a testament to its design and implementation. We foresee significant opportunities in Southeast Asia for large-scale hybrid solar projects, integrating both floating and ground-mounted installations. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Cypark Resources and appreciate their trust in Trinasolar for this ambitious project that aligns with Malaysia’s goal of achieving a 70% renewable energy mix by 2050.”
The versatility of Trinasolar’s Vertex modules was crucial for the project’s success. The 35MW floating solar segment, situated on a lake near the sea, faces high humidity and salt-laden conditions. The Vertex modules’ dual-glass design ensures resistance to harsh environments. TÜV Rheinland, a global leader in independent testing, has recognized the Vertex modules for their performance under these challenging coastal conditions.
The bifacial nature of the Vertex modules allows for sunlight capture from both sides, enhancing energy generation. This feature is particularly beneficial for the ground-mounted system, where the white sandy soil creates a strong albedo effect, reflecting light to the module’s underside.The ultra-high power and high efficiency Vertex 590-595W bifacial modules offer high performance, reducing the levelized cost of energy and balance of system (BOS) costs, with a maximum efficiency of 21.4%.
“This project is a clear demonstration of the potential for hybrid solar projects in the region,” Wang says. “We look forward to driving more such initiatives and contributing to Southeast Asia’s renewable energy ambitions.”
