Increased solar adoption in commercial, industrial sectors via NOVA scheme
07 Jul 2021
Three months after its April 2021 launch, the net energy metering (NEM) net offset virtual aggregation (NOVA) scheme demonstrated a 100 per cent uptake of solar in the commercial and industrial sectors.
Plus Xnergy Holding Sdn Bhd group chief executive officer Ko Chuan Zhen said many companies had taken advantage of the NEM NOVA scheme, which has gained widespread acceptance due to its rapid uptake among local businesses.
“I hope the government considers extending the quota upwards to a range of 1000MW-3000MW to encourage new interest and meet present demand.
“We also foresee rapid job creation within the emerging clean energy sector as more industries recognise the rate of return with solar,” he said in a statement today.
He noted that one such business is food manufacturer Kawan Food Bhd, which began investing in a solar project in early 2020 and completed it in the first quarter (Q1) of 2021.
Kawan Food invested RM7.28 million in a solar photovoltaic (PV) installation at their headquarters in Pulau Indah Selangor Halal Hub.
The sum invested also included an energy performance management system (EPMS) developed by Plus Xnergy.
Kawan Food Manufacturing Sdn Bhd senior factory manager Andy Yeap said the company have registered strong earnings and experienced a surge of online orders for frozen food from local and global markets during this pandemic.
“One of our key moves was to invest in a solar solution with projected savings worth RM1 million a year. Our high energy consumption would benefit greatly from reductions in operating cost with solar in the long run,” he said.
Kawan Food’s investment includes an energy performance management system (EPMS) called SOURCE by Plus Xnergy, which uses the Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT).
It manages a building’s energy demand, ultimately translated into better business decisions to optimise energy savings.
Andy said it is vital to be aware of spending, especially during the pandemic.
“Through SOURCE, we can effectively monitor our energy usage through this digital platform.
“Furthermore, this investment reduces carbon emissions, in line with global warming prevention and contributes positively toward corporate social responsibility and sustainability,” he said.
“As we battle high Covid-19 infections, and as businesses struggle to stay profitable, a solar investment may not be an immediate decision, though Kawan Food’s adoption is in the interest of long-term benefits,” Ko said further.
Source: NST
