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What is ‘SURIA for Developer’ Programme?
The ‘SURIA for DEVELOPER’ is a renewable energy programme which offers opportunity exclusively to the Malaysian property developers to be involved in total sustainable housing development via the use of Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) to generate clean electricity from solar energy.
What is the objective of the Programme?
With the ‘SURIA for Developer’ programme, potential house buyers can buy homes which come ready-fitted with solar BIPV, whereby the cost of the solar system is inclusive in the property price. It is intended to allow more people to have solar BIPV at their homes and thus, creating more widespread BIPV application which will then further reduces its cost.
Also, in urban living where land space is precious, solar BIPV consumes no more than the rooftop spaces. In essence, solar BIPV does not require the additional use of expensive land area and being a building material itself, it can be aesthetically integrated as part of the building envelope. The larger picture of this programme is to create mass market for solar BIPV in which solar BIPV becomes a standard feature in housing development.
What’s in it for the Developers?
A financial reward of total RM3,000,000 for a total targeted BIPV capacity of 340kWp will be awarded for the selected developer(s). To overcome first mover barriers, developers are assured that through this green initiative, they will earn much coveted accolades from those in building industry associations.
More importantly, developers who are looking for an edge in marketing their housing project will find the incorporation of solar BIPV a unique feature in their homes. It will be a strong selling point to the public who is gaining conscious about climate change and wanting to do something before it is too late.
When was the programme officially launched?
The programme was officially announced on 22nd June 2007, in the launching of National SURIA 1000 programme by Y.A.B Prime Minister, represented by Y.B. Dato Sri Mohd Effendi Norwawi, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.
In the Prime Minister’s speech, the Y.A.B. PM coined the term “Wawasan SURIA” whereby ‘SURIA for Developer’ is one of the programme which will realize the PM’s vision of rooftops integrated with solar BIPV.
How does the programme work?
Those developers interested in the ‘SURIA for Developers’ programme will submit their proposals and the programme is similar to a competition. The winning proposal(s) will implement the solar building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) housing project as well as will receive special Government and industry recognitions. At the end of the project, the developer(s) will get their financial reward.
What is the main focus of the programme and why?
The main focus of the ‘SURIA for Developer’ programme is to provide incentives to housing developers to initiate the incorporation of solar BIPV in their housing projects. Admittedly, solar BIPV is very new in the country and not many developers are willing to be the first movers and brave uncharted territory.
At this stage we have 2 pioneer developers already building showhouses incorporated with solar BIPV. They are commendable for their breaking new grounds; they are SP Setia and Putra Perdana. SP Setia is incorporating solar BIPV in 6 of their showhouses (in Setia Eco Park) with a commitment to extend to all the 32 units of bungalows. Putra Perdana is implementing 4 showhouse bungalows (in Precinct 16) with a view to test the market’s responsiveness. Without this programme, the developer may only incorporate solar BIPV into their project at a later stage. However, the Government wants the solar development to happen today so that Malaysia would be ready when indigenous energy resources become very limited.
How much land is expected of the developer to build the solar BIPV housing project?
The land would belong to the developer and the land area is not explicitly stated as a requirement. It is up to the developer to identify suitable land size to build houses with solar BIPV. However, the submitted proposal must incorporate not be less than 100kWp for landed properties where every house within the allotted parcel shall be fitted with solar BIPV. For non-landed property, the space taken up by the solar BIPV must be no less than 750sq m (crystalline) or 1500sq m (thin film).
What is the approximate GDV of the land for the housing project?
Again, the GDV is not explicitly stated and it is the prerogative of the developer. However, it is expected that the developer would target special or high end developments to incorporate the solar BIPV feature.
What kind(s) of homes can we expect from the project?
Homes fitted with solar BIPV would be special, unique and provide a point of differentiation from others. These homes generate renewable electricity from the sunlight which effectively reduces the monthly electricity bill of the house, and the houses are considered as micro IPP (independent power producers like YTL, Genting, Segari, etc). The amount of electricity reduction in the bill depends on the capacity of solar BIPV installed. The electricity generated by the solar BIPV system will be sold to TNB under the net-metering scheme. The homeowner is therefore hedging against imminent electricity tariff hike. There is no technical restriction to the types of houses which can incorporate solar BIPV. The cost factor alone for the time being would mean that it is more viable for those who are willing to invest for the future. In time to come, economies of scale achieved through widespread use of solar BIPV will drive the cost down making it more cost viable for the rest of the population in urban areas.
Would these homes be eligible for net-metering
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Definitely yes!
What is the time frame for ‘SURIA for Developer’ Programme?
The application for the programme was opened to participants (developers) on the 16th July 2007. The closing date is 31st January 2008. By 1st April 2008, the selected developer(s) will be announced. The BIPV systems are expected to be installed and fully commissioned within 36 months of project approval date.
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