Kuala lumpur: Jeli Kelantan Polytechnic (PJK) has successfully developed a solar panel system for buggy cars, marking a significant achievement as the first of its kind in Kelantan through the Solar Buggy Car Technology Innovation Project. Its director, Mohd Zamre Ab Rahman, announced that the project, with an investment of nearly RM300,000, was developed by 20 third-semester students pursuing the Diploma in Electrical Engineering (Green Energy) within about a month.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the project was led by lecturer Chung Boon Chuan and utilized the fundamental knowledge and skills acquired by the students since their first semester. The solar panel system was installed on the buggy cars to enable their batteries to be charged using solar energy, thereby reducing dependence on electricity supply. This was demonstrated to reporters after a demonstration of the project at the polytechnic.

PJK currently possesses six buggy cars equipped with solar panel systems, consisting of four four-seater units and two two-seater units, with each unit costing approximately RM40,000. Mohd Zamre stated that this innovation aligns with PJK's aspiration as a green campus committed to expanding the use of renewable energy to reduce dependence on electricity supply.

The Diploma in Electrical Engineering (Green Energy), initially offered in July last year, has seen an increase in new student intake from 40 to 80 for this year's session due to the growing green energy industry in the country. This growth is particularly noticeable in Kelantan, with the development of solar farms in Tok Uban and Pasir Mas, leading to more job opportunities and increased demand for the programme.

The polytechnic also secured a RM2 million allocation from the Ministry of Higher Education last year to upgrade its laboratories and equip them with new equipment and facilities to support teaching and learning in the field of green energy. Beyond serving as a learning platform, PJK is ready to accept orders from the public and agencies for the installation of solar panel systems on buggy cars.

"This effort not only exposes students to the real-world application of renewable energy technology but also produces skilled graduates capable of meeting the needs of the growing green industry," Mohd Zamre added.