When you tell a group of homeowners and business executives to “solar malaysia” the argument will go hotter than a July BBQ. Who’s putting up solar panels the quickest? Is it the auntie who lives in a sunny terrace house or the small business owner who wants to put solar panels on the roofs of those enormous factories? Let’s get going.

It’s easy to see a homeowner glancing at their very high electric bill during a heat wave and then phoning to find out how much solar electricity might cost. But speed isn’t always about things that are bad for you. The numbers also convey a lot. The Net Energy Metering (NEM) Rakyat scheme put solar panels on households in Malaysia by the end of 2022. That’s a big jump over a few years, largely because panel prices are going down and subsidies are still in place.

But the folks who work in business aren’t just sitting around either. Programs like NEM NOVA for enterprises and industries, as well as large tax breaks and financial packages, have helped companies take up most of Malaysia’s entire installed capacity. There are a lot of factories and retail complexes, but they don’t move as quickly as a millennial when a new smartphone comes out. A single warehouse can store more solar power than a full street of houses. More than 60% of Malaysia’s new capacity in 2023 came from commercial and industrial solar projects. They lighted up the floors of offices, production lines, and shopping aisles.

There is still a visible size difference. Most homes have systems that use between 4 and 12 kW. A big business project could use 1,000 kW or more. So, more people are switching, but businesses need more megawatts.

There is some talk among people. The “keeping up with the Joneses” effect starts in the suburbs when a neighbor shows off their lower TNB costs. When it’s time for corporations to publish their annual reports, it’s more about ESG goals, saving money, and bragging rights.

So, do you know who won? More and more families in Malaysia are obtaining solar power, making it look as normal as roti canai. But businesses still get most of the clean energy. One group runs fast, and the other group has massive muscles. In “solar Malaysia,” the finish line constantly moving, making it a two-horse race driven by the sun. But who really cares as long as the country is going better?