Solar Power Innovations in Jakarta: Harnessing the Sun

Before writing this piece, I had always thought that Indonesia, our island home, was lagging in terms of clean energy development. After several Google searches, a few scrolls through sustainable energy expos, and a couple of news articles, I had realized that you and I had been mistaken. Let me correct you.

In West Java, over the Cirata Reservoir, Indonesia has introduced a floating solar farm—the largest in Southeast Asia and producing up to 192 megawatts (MW) since its inauguration on November 9, 2023. This technological innovation results in approximately 245 Gigawatt-hours (GWh) of clean energy each year. Moreover, in Central Java’s Kendal Industrial Park, a compact solar photovoltaic panel factory has just started its operations. This landmark step was launched in June 2025 for approximately Rp. 1.500.000.000.000,00. At this very moment, it is the country’s most extensive integrated plant ever, with solar panel efficiencies reaching up to 23.2%.

Meanwhile, in our very dear Jakarta itself, while we can all admit that the chances of a solar panel on one’s rooftop are equivalent to the chances that you’re reading these words with your eyes closed, the capital was a showcase host in April 2025 for Solartech Indonesia. The event attracted more than 800 different exhibitors from 25 unique nations, spotlighting innovations in the realm of solar power energy sources.

These developments—whether offshore genius, local production, or platforms that drive innovation—are all Indonesian footsteps toward harnessing the sun.

References

PLN Nusantara Renewables. (n.d.). Retrieved August 23, 2025, from https://www.ptplnnr.com/en/news-and-articles/detail/journey-of-ikn-solar-power-plant-in-providing-green-electric-city-for-the-79-th-anniversary-ceremony-of-the-republic-of-indonesia
SOLARTECH INDONESIA 2025 (Sub event with: BATTERY & ENERGY STORAGE INDONESIA 2025) - JAKARTA INTERNATIONAL EXPO. (2025, March 11). JAKARTA INTERNATIONAL EXPO. Retrieved August 23, 2025, from https://exhibition.jiexpo.com/events/solartech-indonesia-2025-sub-event-with-battery-energy-storage-indonesia-2025
SWT Company to showcase Innovative energy Solutions at SolarTech Indonesia 2025 in Jakarta. (n.d.). Retrieved August 23, 2025, from https://www.swt-power.com/info-detail/swt-company-to-showcase-innovative-energy-solutions-at-solartech-indonesia-2025-in-jakarta
Thomas, V. F. (2025, June 20). Govt launches Rp 1.5 trillion solar panel factory in Central Java. The Jakarta Post. Retrieved August 23, 2025, from https://www.thejakartapost.com/business/2025/06/20/govt-launches-rp-1-5-trillion-solar-panel-factory-in-central-java.html