What is BESS? The Secret to 24/7 Solar Power for Malaysian Businesses

Solar Makes the First Move. BESS Seals the Deal.

Businesses across Malaysia are turning to solar to reduce electricity bills and take control of their energy use. But what if your system could go even further?

That’s where BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) comes in.

Think of BESS as your solar’s power bank — it stores the energy your panels produce, so you can use it anytime, even after the sun goes down.

What is BESS?
BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) is the missing piece that takes your solar investment further.  

It’s a rechargeable system — usually powered by advanced lithium-ion batteries — designed to store excess energy your solar panels generate and release it when you need it most. Think of it as your private energy reserve — ready to kick in during peak hours, cut down your maximum demand, and lower your electricity bills. With the right battery size, it can even keep your business running during blackouts or overnight shifts.

You can install BESS:

  • Together with your new solar setup.
  • Or add it later to boost the performance — and ROI — of your existing system.


Why BESS?

Because solar alone works — But BESS works smarter.
In Malaysia, most businesses hit peak energy use between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. — right when solar production is at its strongest. But what happens when the sun goes down and operations — like factories and warehouses — keep running?

That’s where BESS changes the game.

  • Solar lowers your bills by day.
  • BESS keeps the savings going after dark.

It works both ways:
BESS stores excess solar energy during peak sunlight hours (typically 11am–3pm). Later — when electricity rates spike or solar production dips — it discharges that energy to power your business.  

Without BESS, every extra hour means pulling costly electricity from the grid.
With BESS, you rely on your own stored power — cutting costs, boosting control, and reducing your dependency on the grid.

Source: Freepik


Wait — What Does "Buying From the Grid" Really Mean?

If your business operates under a TNB commercial or industrial tariff — such as Tariff C1 (Medium Voltage General Commercial) — you're billed per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity consumed. This means every time your business pulls electricity from the grid — especially after solar production stops — it adds to your monthly electricity bill.

BESS helps you break that cycle by:

  • Discharging stored solar energy when you need it.
  • Reducing your reliance on expensive grid electricity.
  • Giving you full control over how — and when — you power your business.

For the most recent and detailed information on TNB's electricity tariffs, you can refer to their official pricing and tariffs page.

Source: Freepik

Solar Schemes in Malaysia
In Malaysia, business solar users typically fall under two schemes: SelCo or NEM NOVA.
Both schemes help you save on its own — but when you add BESS into the picture, you unlock even more control and value.

How BESS Works for SelCo and NEM NOVA?

In short:

  • SelCo users cannot export energy to the grid, so BESS ensures you don’t waste unused energy. *For SELCO users, BESS is optional until Dec 2025 — expected to be required after.
  • NEM NOVA users can export energy to the grid and earn credits — but BESS gives you control to store it instead if that makes more sense for your usage patterns.

Source: Freepik


What About Cost?

BESS is an investment — and like any good one, it scales with you.

You don’t need a massive battery system right away. Many businesses start small, then expand based on energy data. Even a partial BESS setup can:

  • Reduce your maximum demand (MD)
  • Lower electricity use during evenings
  • Cut reliance on diesel generators
  • Provide backup during blackouts
  • Protect against rising tariffs and grid instability

It’s not about replacing your solar — it’s about getting more from what you’ve already paid for.

Source: Pixabay


BEST of the BESS – Literally

Solar is already a smart move.

Solar + BESS makes it unstoppable. At Sunview, we don’t just install solar panels— we design complete solar + battery storage systems built around your business needs.
 

Ready to Outshine Your Competition?
If you're serious about maximising your solar investment, cutting long-term energy costs, and taking full control of your power — let’s explore how BESS fits your setup, whether you're on SelCo, NEM NOVA, or a custom solution made just for you. You’ve already caught the sun. Now let’s help you catch an even bigger advantage.

Ready to see how much further your solar can go? Let's talk here.


Do Your Hear That?

It’s that little voice in your head saying: Get the BESS!

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