There is a lot more to “solar malaysia” than just shiny panels on roofs or fields full of dust soaking up the sun. College campuses are full with excitement, with white coats, laptops, and lab benches bustling. These people are using their brains to change what solar technology can achieve. But who is ahead right now?

When it comes to solar research in schools, Universiti Malaya (UM) is always at the top of the list. The school is home to the famous UM Power and Renewable Energy Research Center (UMPERC) as well as a place to go to class. The UMPERC is in charge of cutting-edge projects like floating solar arrays in lakes in Klang Valley, new ways to store energy, and organic solar cells. Faculty and graduate students work closely with government bodies to help shape both policy and panels.

Next up on the solar podium is Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). At international conferences, you hear a lot about their Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI). SERI is involved in a lot of research on perovskite solar cells and connecting them to the grid, and its experts read journal articles from all around the world. UTM’s big Johor campus also offers the space for big projects like smart grid testbeds and pilot-scale photovoltaic farms.

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is another area where solar magic happens. It’s in Penang, which is to the north. Their School of Physics and Engineering is in charge of research on thin-film solar materials, hybrid solar-thermal systems, and even studies on how energy policy affects individuals. Not only schools use the Green Technology Center at USM; corporations also work with them on commercial R&D projects.

Then comes Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN). If you believe the name sounds like anything electrical, you’re right. Researchers at UNITEN study solar forecasts, microgrid design, and how to set up big systems on a huge scale. They cooperate with Tenaga Nasional Berhad and government agencies on a regular basis to assist change the country’s grid.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) also gets high marks for solar solutions that are useful for people. Solar-powered health clinics in distant areas, projects in far-off villages, and partnerships between schools and businesses have made news and inspired other ASEAN members.

It’s evident that Malaysia’s colleges are doing more than just filling journals. They’re also making the next big solar discoveries and transforming how the country catches and uses sunlight. So, the next time someone asks where the brightest sparks in solar Malaysia are, don’t just point to photovoltaic glass. Instead, talk about these campuses, where smart people with huge goals gather every day.