Barriers and Drivers of Malaysian BIPV Application: Perspective of Developers

Abstract

Sustainable development is one of terms that widely known and crucial in the context of world development today. In order to achieve sustainable development, global community has identified the construction and energy sectors as the prioritisation area. Malaysian government has set up various plans and development related to Renewable Energy (RE) especially in related to construction sectors. One of the main initiatives taken is the promotion of Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV). Even so, the BIPV implementation is rather new and still in the infancy stage. There is no research indicated details on the BIPV application in Malaysia especially in related to construction sectors. Current industry stakeholders tend to reluctant in investing in BIPV due to its high initial investment. However, BIPV has become a good prospect in construction industry due to huge development and the latest economic investment in Iskandar regions, Johor, Malaysia. This research provides insights where housing developers act as a catalyst or push factor in the BIPV implementation in Malaysia. In depth interview is employed with 15 developers to get an in-depth angle and a wider perspective in the barrier and drivers for the BIPV implementation. All developers provide positive feedback and determine in implementing BIPV into the development project. This research shows that BIPV has the propitious potential and encourage positive thinking among the construction industry stakeholders towards sustainable development.