International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering (IJECE) Vol. 15, No. 4, August 2025, pp. 3603~3612 ISSN: 2088-8708, DOI: 10.11591/ijece.v15i4.pp3603-3612  3603 Journal homepage: http://ijece.iaescore.com Design strategies for solar photovoltaic integration in rural areas Intan Mastura Saadon 1 , Emy Zairah Ahmad 1 , Nurbahirah Noorddin 1 , Norain Idris 2 1 Department of Electrical Engineering Technology, Faculty of Electrical Technology and Engineering (FTKE), Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Melaka, Malaysia 2 Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Technology and Engineering (FTKM), Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Melaka, Malaysia Article Info ABSTRACT Article history: Received Sep 4, 2024 Revised Mar 5, 2025 Accepted Mar 20, 2025 This study explores the optimization of photovoltaic (PV) systems in the Sungai Tiang Camp region, Malaysia, with a focus on determining the ideal tilt angles to maximize energy generation in a tropical environment while incorporating a cost analysis. While existing studies optimize tilt angles for energy maximization in temperate regions, this study addresses the unique climatic and socio-economic conditions of rural Malaysia. Unlike fixed-tilt assumptions common in prior work, this research explores cost-effective, manually adjustable systems tailored for local weather patterns and rural affordability. To address this, the study examines the relationship between tilt angle, solar irradiance, temperature and output power. The results are analyzed to identify optimal configurations. Results reveal that tilt angles between 5° and 10° deliver the highest energy output, with slight seasonal adjustments for efficiency improvement. These findings align with Malaysia's tropical solar profile, offering practical insights for micro-scale solar deployments in similar climates. By addressing the unique needs of remote areas, this research contributes to bridging the gap in localized PV studies. Its outcomes not only enhance the understanding of solar PV performance in tropical conditions but also provide valuable guidelines for rural electrification and sustainable energy solutions in equatorial regions worldwide. Keywords: Rural electrification Solar energy Solar irradiance Solar system sizing Tilt angle variation This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA license. Corresponding Author: Intan Mastura Saadon Department of Electrical Engineering Technology, Faculty of Electrical Technology and Engineering (FTKE), Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka Melaka, Malaysia Email: mastura@utem.edu.my 1. INTRODUCTION According to Malaysia Energy Information Hub [1], the essential for energy in Malaysia is rising drastically in every sector including industrial, transport, agriculture, and residential. Figure 1 illustrates how Malaysia's energy demand is rising annually. It is apparent that the transportation sector's increasing demand is responsible for the largest overall increase in energy consumption, even in the face of a significant decline in manufacturing production. The issue with the increase in energy use is that energy resources, particularly fossil fuels, are running out [2] and this limitation has an effect on the rural area's energy division. Given that rural locations typically have ample space and an abundance of energy resources, particularly solar energy resource obtained through sunlight, there are increasing numbers of solar energy intervention being focused especially in rural area in Malaysia in order to reduce the overall annual cost of electricity and also carbon