Solar Energy in Asia’s Chemical Manufacturing: A Scalable Path to Decarbonisation

From heating and cooling to distillation and drying, chemical manufacturing is one of the most energy-intensive industries in Asia. The sector accounts for about 10% of final industrial energy use in Southeast Asia and is a major contributor to the region’s emissions footprint.

As global and regional regulations tighten — and with carbon costs and ESG scrutiny on the rise — companies across the value chain are being pushed to decarbonise operations without compromising efficiency. 

Solar energy offers a practical, scalable solution: enabling chemical manufacturers to stabilise electricity costs, reduce Scope 2 emissions, and meet growing expectations from customers, regulators, and financial markets.

Why solar energy is gaining traction in Asia’s chemical manufacturing sector

No two chemical plants are the same which is why energy solutions are anything but one-size-fits-all. For example, a large-scale facility manufacturing bulk petrochemicals will have vastly different operational and energy needs compared to an urban plant producing personal care products like cosmetics or shampoo.

What ties these sites together is the need for sustainable energy solutions. Regardless of size or output, chemical manufacturers are facing growing expectations from regulators, supply chain partners, and customers to decarbonise operations and increase energy transparency. 

At the same time, high and volatile electricity prices are putting pressure on operating margins — especially in energy-intensive processes like distillation, polymerisation or high-temperature reactions. 

And this is where solar energy becomes a game-changer. By delivering reliable, clean power at a stable rate, solar solutions help manufacturers reduce their reliance on grid electricity and mitigate exposure to price fluctuations. This is particularly valuable for plants with round-the-clock operations, where enhancements in energy efficiency can translate into substantial long-term savings.

When integrated with energy monitoring systems or hybrid setups that include battery storage, solar installations can also offer greater control over consumption patterns and load balancing — supporting both sustainability goals and operational resilience.

Designing solar solutions for safety, efficiency, and performance

In industrial settings such as chemical plants, safety is non-negotiable and that includes the design and deployment of solar energy systems. TotalEnergies ENEOS understands that solar panel installation must work with a plant’s operational ecosystem, not around it. That means addressing safety requirements, space constraints, and performance expectations from the very first feasibility study.

Custom-fit designs for complex environments

Unlike commercial rooftops or open land, industrial plants often come with tight layouts, uneven surfaces, heavy electrical infrastructure and 24/7 operations. TotalEnergies ENEOS engineers take all of these into account when designing solar installations — ensuring that panels are placed where they’re most effective without obstructing key access areas or compromising safety zones.

At Imerys Performance Minerals Asia Pacific’s Malaysian site, for example, TotalEnergies ENEOS successfully deployed the company’s first onsite solar installation with a 1 MWp rooftop system. This was no standard installation — it involved careful structural analysis to avoid overloading the building, as well as integration with Imerys’ stringent safety and fire prevention protocol.

With nearly 1,800 solar modules installed, the system is set to generate an estimated 1,400 megawatt-hours (MWh) of renewable electricity annually, reducing the annual CO2 emissions by approximately 790 tons. In sustainability terms, this is the equivalent of planting nearly 12,000 trees. 

Performance without disruption

Installing solar panels shouldn’t interfere with production especially in industries where downtime can translate into millions in lost output or even safety risks. In chemical manufacturing, operations often run 24/7 and follow strict protocols for equipment access, pressure containment, and cleanroom compliance. Any installation work must therefore be planned with precision.

TotalEnergies ENEOS works closely with plant managers and operations teams to develop customised construction schedules. Where possible, installations are carried out during off-peak hours, planned maintenance windows, or seasonal shutdowns to minimise disruption to day-to-day operations. In highly sensitive areas, modular or phased deployment strategies are used to isolate work zones and maintain operational continuity.

In addition, the system was designed for maximum uptime and minimal maintenance, with durable solar panels tailored for Malaysia’s tropical climate and a remote monitoring platform to track performance in real-time. This gives Imerys the ability to monitor solar output and system health without diverting resources away from their core operations. Something which is especially important for any plant looking to boost sustainability without added complexity.

Rooftop, ground-mounted, or hybrid? Solar panel setups for every site

One of the most important early decisions in a solar project is determining where and how panels will be installed — and in industrial settings, this decision is shaped by a wide variety of factors. 

Unlike standard commercial buildings, industrial sites vary dramatically in size, layout, and purpose. A large petrochemical facility may have expansive rooftops suitable for high-capacity arrays, while a compact specialty plant in an urban zone may face constraints like limited space, shading, or strict access requirements.

These differences mean that solar panel setups must be adapted to the physical and operational realities of each site. Some facilities benefit from rooftop installations spread across multiple buildings, while others may require ground-mounted systems, carport arrays, or even hybrid configurations that maximise underutilised space. Structural integrity, load-bearing capacity and access to sunlight all play a role in determining the most effective layout.

TotalEnergies ENEOS addresses this complexity by conducting comprehensive site assessments before any design is finalised. Taking this step ensures that each system delivers strong energy output, meets safety standards, and integrates seamlessly with plant operations.

For instance, at PTT Global Chemical in Thailand, TotalEnergies ENEOS installed a 6.7 MWp rooftop solar installation across multiple factory buildings. It was also designed to optimise power generation while still staying within space constraints and maintaining operational continuity which is a clear example of how tailored solar setups can work even in dense industrial environments.

Solar energy: A gateway to broader sustainability transformatio

As global supply chains evolve and consumer expectations shift, there is mounting pressure on manufacturers to demonstrate environmental responsibility, not only in what they produce but how they produce it.

In fact, buyers across sectors — from consumer goods to automotive and electronics — are now demanding greater transparency and lower embodied carbon in the products they source. Brands are under increasing scrutiny to disclose their suppliers’ carbon footprints, and in many cases, are actively seeking partners who can show clear progress toward decarbonisation. 

In this context, onsite solar energy becomes a visible, verifiable step toward meeting sustainability targets and maintaining competitive advantage.

Solar installations help reduce Scope 2 emissions, one of the key metrics used in sustainability reporting frameworks such as CDP, GRI and Science-Based Targets. They also enable manufacturers to lessen their dependence on fossil-fuel-driven grid electricity, which is especially relevant in countries where national grids are still heavily reliant on coal or natural gas.

Moreover, solar energy systems can be integrated with real-time energy monitoring, allowing companies to track their usage, optimise consumption, and communicate their sustainability progress with data-backed confidence. This not only supports internal ESG goals but also reinforces the brand’s reputation with downstream customers and end consumers.

A tailored and long-term energy strategy with solar energy

Chemical manufacturers today are under pressure to keep costs under control while also meeting stricter sustainability expectations. That’s why TotalEnergies ENEOS takes a long-term, site-specific approach. 

From planning and installation to monitoring and system maintenance, each solution is designed to fit the operational needs of the site and support future energy goals. Safety, efficiency, and performance are built into every step.

For companies looking to make a lasting change in how they manage energy, working with an experienced partner like TotalEnergies ENEOS can make all the difference.