KUALA LUMPUR: Proton Holdings Bhd has unveiled its solar power initiative at its Tanjung Malim plant to reduce its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 11,536 tonnes a year while generating utility cost savings.
The national car maker said the project would consist of the biggest parking lot bi-facial solar panel facility in Malaysia.
It will also have solar panels mounted on its factory rooftop.
The combined power generated is 12 megawatts peak (MWp), enough to meet up to 25 per cent of power consumption of the plant.
Covering a land area of 23.4 acres, Proton's motor pool car park provides parking spaces for 2,880 cars and is used as a transit point for cars produced at Tanjung Malim prior to being distributed to dealers and outlets nationwide.
Proton said the space was now covered by 20,544 bi-facial solar panels, so named because they can generate energy from direct sunlight on top as well as reflected sunlight from the ground and cars parked underneath the panels.
"They also provide shaded car storage, offering the newly produced cars protection from the elements," it said.
Built and commissioned by Pekat Group and its associate MFP Solar, Proton said the parking lot solar panel facility can generate 9MWp and was the largest in Malaysia as well as for any car manufacturer in the country.
"It also allows Proton to potentially save up to RM4.39 million a year on its energy bill with a further saving of RM1.46 million available via the 3MWp generated by the factory roof mounted panels," it said.
Proton deputy chief executive officer Roslan Abdullah said the solar panel facility was part of the company's green initiative as it took up the challenge to help Malaysia meet the government's target of becoming a carbon neutral nation by 2050.
"Aside from generating utility savings, the use of a clean and renewable energy source will allow us to remove 11,536 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere, benefitting the local community and ecosystem at Tanjung Malim," said Roslan.
Using solar as part of a holistic energy saving plan, Proton has been on a journey to reduce its carbon footprint since 2015.
Over a five-year period from 2015-2020, the company's initiatives have achieved an energy bill savings of RM20 million or equivalent to 55,000 MWh savings and over 40,000 tonnes of CO2 emission reduction.