Harnessing the Power of the Sun through Innovation
As part of its regional and international commitments, Malaysia aims to increase renewable energy (RE) in its generation mix by 20 percent by 2025. This is in order to reduce carbon emissions intensity by 35 percent by 2030, as per the 2016 Paris Agreement. Being located near the Equator, Malaysia enjoys a high irradiancy rate, which makes solar power a preferred source of RE. One company that is making its mark in the solar industry in Malaysia is Fabulous Sunview. Co-founder and Sales Director Ong Hang Ping reveals the company’s impressive journey to International Business Review.
Founded in 2013 by Ong and his business partner Charlie Chow, Fabulous Sunview draws its strengths from the experiences of its two founders and directors. Whereas Ong comes from the solar panel manufacturing industry, Chow has experience in mounting structures for solar panels.
As Ong explains, “My role is focused on the planning of strategy, business development and product management, while Charlie is in charge of the project and technical aspects.” By combining and synergising their respective expertise, the two have managed to position Fabulous Sunview as a as a one-stop solutions provider specialising in engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of solar power projects.
Since its establishment eight years ago, Fabulous Sunview’s reputation and success have been on the up and up. Starting out on the smaller scale, such as installing solar panels on residences, it slowly moved up the value chain towards commercial, industrial, large scale solar and being an independent power producer (IPP).
This success is further reflected in the evolution of its clientele and Fabulous Sunview is on its way to being a listed company. Among the industry players that have utilised Fabulous Sunview’s expertise are food and beverage, poultry, plastic manufacturing, construction and many more.
A Commitment of Innovation
Founded in 2013 by Ong and his business partner Charlie Chow, Fabulous Sunview draws its strengths from the experiences of its two founders and directors. Whereas Ong comes from the solar panel manufacturing industry, Chow has experience in mounting structures for solar panels.
As Ong explains, “My role is focused on the planning of strategy, business development and product management, while Charlie is in charge of the project and technical
aspects.” By combining and synergising their respective expertise, the two have managed to position Fabulous Sunview as a as a one-stop solutions provider specialising in engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of solar power projects.
Since its establishment eight years ago, Fabulous Sunview’s reputation and success have been on the up and up. Starting out on the smaller scale, such as installing solar panels on residences, it slowly moved up the value chain towards commercial, industrial, large scale solar and individual power producing.
This success is further reflected in the evolution of its clientele and Fabulous Sunview is on its way to being a listed company. Among the industry players that have utilised Fabulous Sunview’s expertise are food and beverage, poultry, plastic manufacturing, construction and many more.
Helping Companies and People Embrace Solar
In addition, as Ong reveals, the company also has a number of programmes that help clients – particularly its commercial ones – implement solar power systems with very little to zero upfront costs.
How this zero CAPEX package (as it is known) works is that clients sign a contract for Fabulous Sunview to install a solar power system in their building. Instead of paying for the system, the client agrees to purchase the electricity generated by the system for a period of time, and Fabulous Sunview will operate and transfer the system to the clients when the concession period end.
It is a win-win scenario as the price of the electricity is cheaper than that from TNB, while Fabulous Sunview is able to receive payment for the electricity its system is generating. And once the costs have been paid off, the client takes ownership of the system.
Incidentally, this unique system helped ensure increased revenue for Fabulous Sunview during the Movement Control Order (MCO) and its various iterations in 2020. Ong reveals that, “This is because companies were looking for ways to reduce their operating expenditure during the economic slowdown. So through this scheme, we are able to provide them with a system that they do not have to pay any
investment costs for, while at the same time it helps reduce their operating costs – namely the amount they pay for electricity.”
While the zero CAPEX package is only available (at the present) for commercial and industrial customers, Fabulous Sunview has not been remiss in offering services to residential clients who wish to install solar power systems in their homes. This is done through working with banks to provide financing for such customers so that they do not have to take on any upfront costs.
Playing a Part in the National Agenda
Aside from rooftop or building mounted solar panels, Fabulous Sunview also has experience in ground mounted solar panels. Speaking on this, Ong highlights that team has expertise in the electrical and engineering aspects. It has also ventured into constructing and building solar panels on various challenging ground types. This expertise and experience has transform Fabulous Sunview to become a full EPCC contractor which provides one-stop solutions.
Thanks to this expertise, Fabulous Sunview has become involved in the construction of large scale solar (LSS) farms, which is part of the LSS programme introduced in the 11th Malaysia Plan (2016 – 2020).
For instance, in the 2nd bidding exercise – LSS 2 – Fabulous Sunview was involved in four 30 MW LSS projects, with its work scope ranging from piling to working on the 33 kv interconnection. It should be noted that aside from carrying out the work after the bid has been secured, Fabulous Sunview also helps its partners prepare for the bid submission, this demonstrating that they are a key partner in the entire process.
Educating the Next Generation
Aside from being involved in the building and installation of solar power systems, Fabulous Sunview is also contributing to the advancement of green energy in Malaysia through education. This is because the company has signed an MoU with the University of Malaya Power Energy Dedicated Advance Centre (UMPEDAC), with Ong being named as a committee member.
Ong explains that as part of the committee, he helps review the syllabus of UM’s Master of Renewable Energy programme, particularly with regards to solar energy. Incidentally, this is a sort of homecoming for Ong, as he was previously a student in the university. Through this MoU and with him being a member of the committee, it reinforces Fabulous Sunview’s reputation as a leading player in the Malaysian solar industry.
The company has definitely come a long way since its humble beginnings in 2013,
as reflected in the growth of its revenue and the types of projects that it has under
its belt. Having reached this stage, the next big step for directors Ong Hang Ping and
Charlie Chow, as well as their team members, is to take the company towards being
a public listed company. Already the process of doing so has started. One thing is
for sure, things are looking bright and fabulous for Fabulous Sunview.
