SEDA Malaysia
Off-Grid Solar PV
Systems Design
Course
Originally, PV was
introduced in the
country for offgrid applications,
both for remote
communities
and schools far
from the existing
grid. The PV is
n o r m all y u s e d
in hybrid systems with a diesel generator and
battery storage system. Over the years, there
have been many complaints of sub-standard
systems and poor maintenance, resulting in
early failure of these systems. In 2014, SEDA
Malaysia together with the PV industry, Ministry
of Rural Development (KKLW), and academicians,
developed a training module for the design of offgrid solar PV systems. The module was finalised
in September 2014 and published early this
year. SEDA is at present conducting ‘train the
trainer’ sessions and identifying suitable training
centres to carry out this course. This training is
very important to ensure that off-grid PV/hybrid
PV projects are designed to suit the local climate
and ensure reliable system performance during its
expected lifespan.
Training on Solar PV Project Management - Cooperation between ASEAN Centre for Energy
(ACE) and SEDA Malaysia under The ASEAN –
RE Support Programme (ASEAN-RESP)
The first five-day training course under this
programme was conducted from September 9
to13, 2013 at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM),
Shah Alam, Selangor. The ASEAN-RESP is a
joint project together with SEDA Malaysia that is
supported and financed by the ASEAN Centre of
Energy (ACE) and the Gesellshaft fur Internationale
Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). There were 15 delegates
from eight ASEAN countries. The course
comprised classroom lectures, assignments,
practical session, as well as sites visit to the
relevant PV systems including both solar farms
and commercial buildings. Malaysia is dubbed as
the leader in providing solar PV trainings in the
ASEAN region and well advanced in its quality
control programme for PV system installations in
the country. More regional training on PV systems
are expected to be carried out soon by SEDA on
request from ASEAN member states.
Training on Introduction to Small Hydro
Technology - “Feasibility Studies, Plant Design
and Operation & Maintenance Issues for
Engineers”
Hydro technology has been around for more than
a century and is not new in Malaysia. However,
it has been noted that many new developers of
small hydro schemes under the FiT schedule had
little knowledge of the technology and the various
issues involved, resulting in projects being delayed
or abandoned, and in some cases, failing to run
satisfactorily after completion. SEDA launched
this introductory course for small hydro developers
and their engineers so that they may have a better
understanding of small hydro installation and the
critical issues involved for success. The five-day
course was conducted from September 24-28,
2012 in Ipoh, Perak. It covered both classroom and
on-site training with focus on the fundamentals of
hydraulic engineering, evaluating stream flow, site
evaluation methodologies, hydraulic structures,
electromechanical equipment, environmental
impact assessment and its mitigation, economic
analysis of the project and financing potential.
Speakers from Brodarski Institute in Croatia were
invited as part of the training team. The training
was attended by 33 engineers.
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