OPTIMAL SITE ATTRIBUTES FOR SOLAR FARM DEVELOPMENT IN MALAYSIA: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Abstract

Defining an optimal site for the development of solar farms is crucial for the long-term success of renewable energy projects. However, selecting suitable locations present challenges in Malaysia due to diverse environmental, geographical and socio-economic factors. Therefore, this paper aims to develop a conceptual framework focusing on important attributes that should be considered in defining an optimal site for solar farm development. This study embarks a systematic literature review (SLR) to identify key site selection attributes based on PRISMA guidelines and draws from databases including Emerald Insight, Scopus and ScienceDirect. The result illustrates a conceptual framework incorporating environmental (solar irradiance, soil quality, biodiversity conservation), geographical (land availability, topography, infrastructure access), and socioeconomic (public acceptance, legal frameworks, long-term economic sustainability) attributes. This framework provides direction to decision makers, policymakers, and investors to promote an organized, well-informed site selection process, which ultimately lays the path for the long-term profitability of solar farm development.