Awareness of Secondary School Students in Petaling Jaya Malaysia Towards Renewable Energy

Abstract

Renewable energy sources are becoming important alternatives for non-renewable energy sources in Malaysia. This is due to various renewable energy sources are readily available and easily accessible in Malaysia. In this work, awareness of students from several secondary schools in Petaling Jaya city, Malaysia towards renewable energy was assessed through a survey. Petaling Jaya city was chosen because it is one of the most developed cities in Malaysia. The survey results were used to assess the perception of different levels of secondary school students towards renewable energy. The results were also used to identify the variables that created a difference in the perception towards renewable energy among the respondents in terms of basic knowledge, environment, technology and education factors. Based on the survey results, it was found that the year of education, the home type that the respondents are currently residing at, the attitude towards monitoring home electricity bill and exposure to renewable energy created a significant difference in the perception towards renewable energy. The results from this survey could be useful in identifying the syllabus of renewable energy in the curriculum at relevant secondary school level to increase the students’ perception towards renewable energy. Also, the results can be used to develop renewable energy policies in schools in the future, further enhance the public awareness towards renewable energy and encourage the application of clean energy among the society.