Seen here is the solar installation at the Intel chip and assembly test manufacturing facility at Kulim Hi Tech Park in Malaysia, which is Intel’s largest solar farm outside of the US. (Photo Credit: Intel Corporation) 
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Intel’s Largest Solar Farm Outside US Resides In Malaysia

Meena Nair
  • Intel Malaysia operations complete its 3.2 MW solar installation, which is the largest solar farm outside the US
  • This solar project will contribute about 15% of Intel's global, on-site solar photovoltaic electric power capacity
  • The new solar farm panels to generate about 6,000 MW hours of electricity annually
  • The solar sources to help diversify and introduce renewable energy into the campus energy supply mix

Thanks to a new 3.2 MW solar installation completed in January 2021, Intel Malaysia finished building its largest solar farm outside the US. The solar project, which began in 2020, contributes about 15% of Intel's global, on-site solar photovoltaic electric power capacity and will also reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 3,800 tons. It will also help power six buildings across the company's Kulim and Penang campus. The full system capacity is currently achieving 4.1 MW, which is provided by NEFIN, a renewable energy developer.

Covering an area equivalent to 900 car parking spaces and 50,208 square feet on building rooftops, the new solar farm panels are expected to generate about 6,000 MWh of electricity annually. Partially replacing the campus' electricity demand during peak hours, the solar source also helps diversify and introduce renewable energy into the campus energy supply mix, which until now was mainly powered by natural gas and coal sources.

Robin Martin, Corporate VP  & Managing Director of Intel Malaysia, said, "Our continued investments in alternative energy is a key pillar of Intel's continued commitment to operating our manufacturing facilities with the lowest impact to the environment. The use of renewable power generated on site at Intel Malaysia is a critical part of Intel's efforts as a responsible corporate citizen to do better by our planet and as part of our RISE 2030 goals of achieving 100% renewable power." According to Intel, RISE stands for responsible, inclusive, and sustainable world, enabled through technology and our collective actions.

Intel has already deployed several solar thermal systems to supply hot water to all its campuses in Malaysia, and it said it will be continuing the expansion of clean and green energy sources to reduce emissions. Resonating with the theme of World Earth Day – Restore our Earth on April 21, Intel said it is reaffirming its commitment to conserving energy and expanding on its renewable energy projects and energy-efficient technologies to help combat climate change.