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05 Jan 2026
6 Min Read
Prof Ts Dr Chockalingam Aravind Vaithilingam (Academic Contributor), Nellie Chan (Editor)
Solar technology has become one of the most widely adopted renewable energy solutions, yet even today’s most efficient photovoltaic (PV) panels lose a large portion of sunlight as heat. In regions like Southeast Asia, where sunlight is abundant but energy costs remain high, this represents a missed opportunity. But what if a single solar module could capture everything the sun has to offer?
At Taylor’s University, Prof Ts Dr Chockalingam Aravind Vaithilingam and his team has developed Hybrid X, an advanced solar energy system that generates both electricity and heat in an integrated, innovative design. By employing heat recovery technology, the system reimagines how solar energy can be harnessed—turning what was once wasted into a valuable resource.
Prof Chockalingam is a professor at the School of Engineering, where his work focuses on developing sustainable energy solutions. His latest project, Hybrid X, earned recognition at the 36th International Invention, Innovation, Technology Competition & Exhibition (ITEX 2025) and the 2nd International Development, Research & Innovation Exhibition (iDRIVE’25).
By leveraging both electricity and heat, the system sets out a new direction for solar innovation, addressing one of the most persistent challenges in renewable energy: the gap between theoretical potential and real-world performance.
We spoke with him to outline the project’s development, highlight the key insights gained, and consider its role in advancing renewable energy adoption in tropical regions.
Q: How would you explain this project to someone outside your field?
A: Hybrid X is a solar energy system that generates electricity from sunlight while capturing heat that would otherwise be wasted. Technically, it’s a Concentrated Photovoltaic/Thermal-Thermoelectric Generator (CPV/T-TEG), but Hybrid X is the name used for the project and its commercial application. The system functions as a single integrated module, eliminating the need for separate setups and leveraging two key technologies to deliver high energy output.
Q: What motivated you to pursue this project?
A: We wanted to improve the cost-effectiveness and overall performance of solar energy for everyday use. Conventional PV systems only convert part of the sunlight they receive, with much of the remaining energy lost as heat, while concentrated solar technologies are typically more complex and costly to operate. Hybrid X addresses both issues by maximising total energy output and minimising system costs, particularly in sunlight-rich regions like Southeast Asia.
Q: How does the system work in practice?
A: The system uses a dual concentrator, which directs sunlight onto the solar cells, increasing electricity generation. At the same time, heat that builds up at the back of the module, where the solar cells are mounted, is harnessed through a heat exchanger. By combining these two energy-harvesting methods in a single integrated module, Hybrid X maximises overall energy output.
Q: Did the project take any unexpected turns?
A: Yes. During early prototype testing, we found that adding pin-fin arrays and using nanofluids significantly increased the temperature difference across the thermoelectric module, which improved overall efficiency. The insight prompted a redesign of both the fluid channel and the broader heat transfer system, now critical components of the current Hybrid X design.
Q: What was the biggest challenge in developing the system?
A: Striking the right balance between efficiency and manufacturability—creating a high-performing prototype that could also be produced cost-effectively. Meeting this challenge required close collaboration among materials scientists, energy engineers, and industry partners, along with extensive laboratory and field testing.
Q: What are some common misconceptions about hybrid solar systems?
A: One misconception is that hybrid solar systems only work well in cooler climates. This likely stems from how thermoelectric modules are often taught—they generate electricity from temperature differences, so people assume a cooler environment is needed to create a large gradient. But Hybrid X captures heat directly and performs best in equatorial regions, where sunlight is strong, and temperatures are warm.
Another misconception is that adding more components automatically makes a system costly or complex. Hybrid X avoids this by using mass-producible, modular, and scalable parts, keeping the system practical, efficient, and cost-effective.
Q: Why is this system particularly urgent now?
A: Fluctuating global energy prices and rising environmental standards have created a pressing need for cost-effective and efficient renewable energy solutions. In many tropical countries, land is limited but sunlight is abundant. By generating more energy per square metre, Hybrid X promotes greater energy independence and lowers carbon emissions, all without requiring additional land.
Q: What are its potential applications and long-term impact?
A: The system can provide both heat and electricity for applications such as solar refrigeration, industrial heating, and desalination, depending on the technology used. In the long run, it can expand energy access in remote regions, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and lay the foundation for local manufacturing of commercial hybrid solar modules in Malaysia.
Q: What are the main challenges to adopting it in the market?
A: Hybrid X’s multifunctional setup and unconventional design can make manufacturing and installation more challenging than for conventional PV panels, which could slow adoption. Stakeholders may also be cautious about using a system that differs from familiar technology. Despite these challenges, its ability to operate independently of the grid makes it a promising model for the next generation of hybrid energy systems.
Q: How has your team’s expertise or experience shaped the development of Hybrid X?
A: Our team combines knowledge in solar energy, thermoelectric systems, and sensor technologies, supported by local and international partnerships. This interdisciplinary expertise has been essential in translating theoretical concepts into practical solutions, from simulation to model validation. Collaborating with the hospitality sector also helped us understand the specific energy needs of hotels and resorts, guiding design decisions and ensuring the technology is commercially viable.
Q: Is there a moment that captures the essence of this project?
A: One defining moment was when our prototype outperformed conventional PV systems during field tests. It proved our core belief that ‘wasted heat is not wasted’—it’s a resource waiting to be harnessed. That breakthrough captured the essence of the project: transforming inefficiency into opportunity through smart, practical innovation.
Q: What continues to drive your interest in solar innovation?
A: My interest is driven by the potential to reimagine solar technologies through practical system modifications—an area still largely unexplored by researchers. These novel, resource-efficient designs help the solar industry remain dynamic and adaptable in a rapidly evolving renewable energy landscape. Most of all, I’m excited by the opportunity to turn creative ideas into innovative solutions that expand what solar energy can achieve.
Prof Chockalingam’s Hybrid X signals a shift in how we harness solar energy—moving from single-purpose panels to integrated systems that capture the full spectrum of sunlight. By combining multiple energy-harvesting methods into a single, coherent design, the system shows how renewable technologies can do more with less, providing a practical and scalable solution for growing energy demands.
The next phase introduces a bifacial feature, allowing the system to capture sunlight from multiple directions. This upgrade is expected to improve efficiency and reinforce its potential as a sustainable energy innovation.
As Malaysia charts a path towards a cleaner and more resilient energy future, Prof Chockalingam’s work underscores how renewable progress accelerates when technology is built around the realities of our climate, not in spite of them.
