For years, residents of Kampung Sungai Relang in Hulu Gombak had to rely on generators and small personal solar panels after their village’s micro-grid stopped functioning.
Now, 11 households in the Orang Asli community have regained access to more reliable electricity through a solar energy initiative by SOLS Foundation in collaboration with Google.
Completed in July 2026, the project provides improved energy access to 46 residents in Kampung Sungai Relang, while forming part of a wider initiative that has benefited 41 households and 140 residents across two Selangor communities, Kampung Sungai Relang and Kampung Air Kuning.
Restoring More Than Just Electricity
The solar deployment aims to provide families with a more stable and sustainable energy source for their daily needs.
Previously, residents depended heavily on generators and low-capacity personal solar panels following the breakdown of the village’s previous micro-grid, making everyday activities more challenging, especially after dark.
With the new household solar systems, residents can now enjoy more dependable lighting and reduced reliance on alternative power sources.
Google’s Community and Workforce Development Manager, Asia Pacific, Arina Dafir, said access to electricity is an important foundation for communities to benefit from technology and future opportunities.
“Access to technology begins with access to electricity. Restoring power helps light up children’s study spaces, keeps homes safer at night and creates a foundation for future opportunities,” she said.
She added that the collaboration with SOLS Foundation and local residents reflects the importance of supporting communities through clean energy solutions.
Supporting Everyday Lives Through Clean Energy
According to SOLS Foundation’s Community Energy and Operations Coordinator, Fakhrul Azmi, reliable electricity can create meaningful changes in the daily lives of families.
“Reliable electricity means children can study after dark, households can reduce their dependence on generators, and residents can spend more time on productive activities,” he said.
The initiative involved technical installation work by SOLS Foundation, with Google volunteers supporting the deployment process alongside the team and local community members.
Beyond installing solar equipment, the project focuses on creating a long-term energy solution that supports education, household activities and community development.
Estimated Savings of RM177,120 Annually
Together with the deployment in Kampung Air Kuning, the initiative is estimated to generate around RM177,120 in annual household savings.
It is also expected to return approximately 88,560 hours of productive time to residents each year by reducing the time spent managing alternative energy sources.
Through this collaboration, SOLS Foundation and Google aim to demonstrate how clean energy solutions can help underserved communities gain greater independence, improve daily living and create new opportunities for the future.