Proposed Framework of Hybrid Photovoltaic Thermal Systems to Ecotourism in Malaysia

School of Engineering, Taylor’s University, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

Abstract

Ecotourism is widely recognized for its positive impacts to the environment. Ecotourism is defined as nature-based tourist experiences, which visitors travel to regions for the purpose of appreciating their natural beauty, relaxation and being harmonious with Mother Nature. Ecotourism probably had its foundations in the ethics of conservation, which can help maintain what’s left of nature and fosters environmental education. Employing the sustainable energy, paying more attention to the natural resources and developing existing natural resources will have a direct impact to healthier sustainable environment for the inhabitant. If not all, most of the ecotourism sites are located in the remote area in which to utilize electrical energy from the normal grid is difficult or very costly. On the irony, utilizing the conventional non-renewable energy have negative effect and ruins the ecotourism sites. Therefore, utilizing Hybrid Photovoltaic Thermal (PVT) systems is a fit alternative energy source to serve the limited energy demands of ecotourists sites. The amount of the energy production depends on the visitors’ capacity of the site. Since the rural area enjoys the cheap and large field, it is easier to plan and assemble the PVT systems to suffice the needed energy. In this research the sustainability of local environment along with the sustainable usage of energy were considered. This paper presents the sustainable energy usage of tourism in Malaysia and aims to address the impact of sustainable and non-sustainable on the rural area of ecotourism. This paper also addresses some of the emission, carbon reduction and climate change issues that the world is expected to meet soon.