Complete Guide To Solar Installation When Building A House In Malaysia

When it comes to building a house in Malaysia, there’s more to consider than just picking out finishes and floor plans. Many homeowners are discovering the value of harnessing Malaysia’s abundant sunlight to power their homes.

By planning for solar from the start, you pave the way for long-term energy savings, a boost in property value, and a more sustainable lifestyle. However, integrating solar installation into the construction process of your new home may seem daunting.

Here’s everything you need to know.

What Are The Key Considerations When Building A House In Malaysia?

How Should You Design Your Roof for Solar Installation?

If you’re building a house in Malaysia, an optimal roof structure is critical for solar panel installation.Your roof should be as unobstructed as possible to maximise the number of panels installed in a single setup. This reduces your cost per kilowatt-peak (kWp), as manpower typically accounts for up to 50% of system costs.

The best way to ensure this is to place obstacles (vent pipes, skylights, etc.) towards the side of the roof rather than in the middle. If that’s not possible, cluster them together instead of dispersing them.

What Is the Best Roof Material for Solar Panels in Malaysia?

While building a house in Malaysia, consider using the right roof material to minimise additional modifications later.Ideally, your roof should be either a standing seam metal roof or a concrete roof. These require no penetration when installing solar panels for your home.

For other roof types, installation methods vary—check out this step-by-step solar installation guide for Malaysia to learn about tiles, metal roofs, waterproofing, and more.

What Is the Ideal Roof Angle for Solar Panels in Malaysia?

To maximise sunlight capture, your roof tilt should not exceed 30 degrees. Flat roofs or those with a 10-degree tilt are the most optimal.

When it comes to roof direction, this generally doesn’t matter in Malaysia as the country lies close to the equator.

Learn more about how roof angle and direction affect solar performance in Malaysia.

Why Is Easy Roof Access Important for Solar Installation?

When building a house in Malaysia, having easy roof access can simplify both installation and future maintenance.

This can save on installation and scaffolding costs and make it much easier to service your panels.

A vertical access ladder or open attic balcony that allows direct access to your roof will suffice.

Should You Add a 3-Phase Sub Distribution Board Box on the Attic Floor?

This isn’t mandatory, but having a 3-phase sub distribution board box (sub DB box) on the attic floor is ideal.

By connecting your inverter directly to the sub DB box upstairs, you reduce cable length, lower transmission losses, and make wiring easier to conceal.

For more technical context, here’s a useful external guide on three-phase distribution boards.

What Are the Design Considerations Before Solar Installation in Malaysia?

Where Should You Place Your Inverter?

Your inverter should be wall-mounted in a well-ventilated, sheltered area—away from direct sun and rain.

Most homeowners choose to place it in the attic balcony area to reduce cable loss between the solar panels and inverter.

Can Solar Panel Wiring Be Concealed in Malaysian Homes?

While wiring between panels and inverter is usually exposed, wiring between inverter and DB box can generally be concealed.

Before installation, your solar installer will walk you through cabling paths and whether trunking or concealment is required.

What Is the Timeline for Solar Installation When Building a House in Malaysia?

When Should You Start Looking for a Solar Installer?

We recommend engaging a solar installer about 6 months before receiving your Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC).

This gives enough time for proper design, inverter location discussions, and cabling provisions.

Meanwhile, you can explore our solar price plans in Malaysia—including Rent-to-Own options with RM 0 upfront, fixed monthly payments, and inclusive maintenance.

When Can Solar Panels Be Installed on a New House?

Solar installation can only start once your CCC is issued. Installing before this could complicate electrical approvals and delay submissions.

After approval, installation typically takes 3–7 days.

How Long Does Solar Commissioning Take in Malaysia?

Once installed, your solar system needs to be connected with a bidirectional meter by your utility provider. This allows you to measure how much electricity is sold back to the grid.

This usually takes 2–4 weeks, but during busy periods, it can take up to 3 months.

How To Integrate Solar Solutions When Building a House in Malaysia

Installing solar as a new homeowner might feel overwhelming—but being aware of the right considerations and timelines makes the process smoother.

If you delay installation, that’s fine too. Just note that depending on your DB box location, you may need external trunking for solar cabling.

If you’re exploring solar now, try our instant solar assessment tool to estimate your home’s solar potential.

You can also compare different solar price plans in Malaysia—including zero upfront Rent-to-Own options. At the end of the term, the system is yours to keep, with full performance guarantees and inclusive maintenance.