ACE has been actively participating in various energy forums and conferences as an attempt to continuously enhance expertise and keep updated on regional energy issues. This time, ACE has gotten the opportunity to share its insight on solar photovoltaics (PV) development in ASEAN during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Energy Working Group (EWG) 062017A Workshop, as the continuation of the first workshop that was held earlier this year in April 2018.

Held on 16 – 18 October 2018 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the workshop started with preliminary findings of a study titled Economic and Life Cycle Analysis of Solar Photovoltaic Systems in APEC Region toward Low-Carbon Society by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). The study aims to provide better information about the economic and environmental impacts of different utilisations of solar PV (i. e. stand-alone, rooftop, utility-scale solar farm) so policymakers and financial institutions could make well-informed decisions. Stakeholders from Asia-Pacific region were invited to give feedbacks and comments on the study’s findings, and to share the solar PV development in each country.

The three-days’ workshop has successfully created a discussion on the life cycle assessment of solar PV, giving insights on the overview of solar PV sustainability from the manufacturing until the disposal process. Interestingly, the study’s preliminary results show that in terms of benefits to the environment and economy, solar rooftop installation is superior compared to utility-scale solar farm or standalone PV system. (NS. Photo credit:  Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia)