Kuala Lampur, Aug. 12 -- Shortage of sunlight in Malaysia is like a durian with no smell - unthinkable. The country's equatorial location gives it consistent, year-round solar exposure, making it one of the most solar-rich nations in the region. On paper, we have everything we need to lead a solar revolution: consistent irradiance, national targets, and profound incentive schemes. But while the sun shines generously, solar adoption among small medium enterprises (SMEs) -the heart of Malaysia's economy - continues to lag behind.

Accounting for over 97 per cent of registered businesses and 38 per cent of GDP, SMEs are often hailed as the "backbone" of the Malaysian economy. But in the transition to clean energy, they have largely been left...