Sustainability and Life-Cycle Cost Analysis of Solar Photovoltaic-Generation Systems in ASEAN Countries

(a) Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, Malaysia

(b) Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest ProductsBiocomposite Unit, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

(c) W.M. Keck Science Department, Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, ClaremontUSA

(d) Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, Malaysia
Solar energy is a renewable source that can help the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region realise its 23% renewable energy target by 2025. However, its development is slow due to a lack of awareness and funds. Many financial institutions are willing to invest in renewable energy projects, but data reliability has been a concern. Approaches that can be used to gather and to analyse data, therefore, should be identified to attract investors towards renewable energy. Quantitative analyses could also help governments more accurately develop reusable energy plans and integrate the procurement of reliable renewable energy systems into them. This study aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the environmental and economic impacts of various types of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems (e.g., stand-alone, rooftop, and solar farm) by using sustainable quantitative approaches, such as life-cycle analysis and life-cycle cost analysis. Data normalisation was also conducted to compare the performance of each system. It was found that the solar PV rooftop system has the lowest greenhouse gas emissions, life-cycle cost, and levelised cost of energy. This study then offers policy recommendations to attract high, sustainable green investment to the region.

Cite

Ludin N.A., Affandi N.A.A., Hamid N.H., Junedi M.M., Purvis-Roberts K., Jusof S. (2021) Sustainability and Life-Cycle Cost Analysis of Solar Photovoltaic-Generation Systems in ASEAN Countries. In: Phoumin H., Taghizadeh-Hesary F., Kimura F., Arima J. (eds) Energy Sustainability and Climate Change in ASEAN. Economics, Law, and Institutions in Asia Pacific. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-2000-3_12