SOLS Foundation and Google have joined forces to improve access to reliable electricity for an Orang Asli community in Hulu Gombak, Selangor, through the installation of solar energy systems across 11 households in Kampung Sungai Relang. The initiative addresses the community’s long-standing electricity challenges following the breakdown of its previous micro-grid, which had left residents dependent on generators and low-capacity personal solar panels for their daily energy needs.

Completed in July 2026, the latest solar deployment now provides more dependable energy access to 46 residents in Kampung Sungai Relang. The project forms part of a wider SOLS Foundation initiative that has delivered solar energy solutions to a total of 41 households and 140 residents across Kampung Sungai Relang and Kampung Air Kuning in Selangor.

The restoration of reliable electricity is expected to make a meaningful difference to the daily lives of residents. With a more dependable source of power, children can study after dark, families can reduce their reliance on fuel-powered generators and households can spend more time on productive activities. The availability of stable electricity also provides an important foundation for greater access to technology and future digital opportunities.

Arina Dafir, Community and Workforce Development Manager, Asia Pacific, Google, said responsible energy growth forms an important part of Google’s long-term digital infrastructure commitment to Malaysia. She highlighted that access to technology begins with access to reliable electricity, adding that restoring power to homes can help create safer living environments, support children’s education and open pathways towards future opportunities.

A SOLS Foundation team member prepares one of the home solar systems before installation at Kampung Sungai Relang. The household-level systems were introduced to reduce residents’ dependence on generators and low-capacity personal panels following the breakdown of the village’s previous micro-grid.

SOLS Foundation team members install a solar panel at one of the 11 participating households in Kampung Sungai Relang. The deployment restored access to more dependable electricity for 46 residents who had been living without a stable energy supply.
An indoor lighting unit is installed as part of a household solar system. Reliable lighting gives residents greater certainty in carrying out everyday activities after dark without relying solely on generators or limited personal panels.
The deployment team completes electrical wiring at a participating household. SOLS Foundation provided the technical expertise for the installation, while Volunteers from Google supported the team throughout the hands-on deployment.
Volunteers from Google spend time with residents while installation work takes place at Kampung Sungai Relang. Their participation extended beyond financial support, with volunteers working directly alongside the SOLS Foundation team and the local community.
Volunteers from Google, SOLS Foundation team members and residents gather at Balai Raya Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Relang following the deployment. The initiative brought solar energy systems to all 11 households in the village, supporting 46 residents and contributing to a wider effort that reached 41 households and 140 residents across two Selangor communities.

Meanwhile, Fakhrul Azmi, Community Energy and Operations Coordinator at SOLS Foundation, said programmes of this nature can deliver an immediate impact on how families live and work each day. Beyond the installation of solar equipment, he noted that the initiative provides communities with a dependable energy source capable of supporting their daily needs over the long term.

The solar energy deployment also demonstrates how clean energy solutions can contribute to social and economic benefits at the community level. By reducing dependence on generators and other less efficient energy sources, households can potentially lower their operating expenses while gaining more consistent access to electricity for essential activities.

Across Kampung Sungai Relang and Kampung Air Kuning, the combined deployments are estimated to generate approximately RM177,120 in annual household savings. The initiative is also expected to return around 88,560 hours of productive time to residents each year, highlighting the wider impact of reliable energy access beyond electricity supply alone.

The collaboration between SOLS Foundation, Google and local communities reflects the potential of partnerships to address energy accessibility while supporting broader sustainability and community development goals. By bringing renewable energy solutions to underserved households, the initiative aims to improve everyday living conditions while creating a stronger foundation for education, productivity and digital inclusion.

With the latest deployment completed in Hulu Gombak, the initiative demonstrates that access to clean and reliable electricity can play an important role in empowering communities. For residents of Kampung Sungai Relang and Kampung Air Kuning, solar energy is not only providing a more dependable source of power but also helping create new opportunities for a safer, more productive and digitally connected future.