For a 10 kW solar power system and capacity factor of 13% (for Brunei), such system can produce approximately 227,760 kWh of energy over their lifespan (10 x 13% x 24h x 365 days x 20 years). As Brunei uses block electric tariff, electricity tariff of BN$0.06 per kWh will be used in calculation.
At the moment, there is no regulatory governing the installation of solar panel in Brunei. Companies follow international standards for solar PV systems that convert solar energy into electrical energy, as well as for all the elements in the entire system.
With the abundance of oil & natural gas resources, the country has one of the cheapest electricity costs in the world. This would in turn make solar power underutilized. The purpose of this project is to design a solar system for Brunei’s medium sized residence to meet the daily energy demands.
The Government of Brunei Darussalam is very keen to explore energy generation using photovoltaic technology. In August 2008, Brunei Darussalam and Mitsubishi Corporation (Japan) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to construct a large scale photovoltaic (PV) demonstration project known as “Tenaga Suria Brunei”.
Electrical power in Brunei Darussalam is generated by the Department of Electrical Services (DES) under the Brunei Government and by a private company “Brunei Power Management Company (BPMC)”. DES has four generating power plants in operation with total installed capacity of approximately 242.5 MW.
Cabling and trenching works can be very costly due to the installation and maintenance process. Hence, for landscaping and outdoor lightings, solar is the cheaper and more convenient option. How can I maximize solar energy production in Brunei?