This survey provides detailed perspectives on Malaysian solar energy system adoption in relation to the economic outcome and environmental and policy context. This work has been done by using comprehensive keyword lists and inclusion criteria to confirm that the findings of this survey capture as many relevant publications as possible from the research period from 2010 to 2024. Unlike numerous papers that investigate such systems with mere commercial or industrial perspective, this survey aims at assessing residential installation, and providing accurate cost benefit analysis while showing the business belief of such schemes. It also examines various opinions, especially the Malaysian government policies and strategic incentives and staking its success on public awareness and acceptance. We equally allocate a considerable portion of this survey to discussing the environmental effects and the life cycle analyses comparing solar energy with other energy types. Notably, the survey is also under sustainable development goal 7 with the goal of achieving universal access to affordable reliable, sustainable and modern energy. Such a focus also makes the identified topics relevant for Malaysia, which is useful for references in subsequent projects and activities. These would include use of web-survey, the coverage on the residential sector, the ability to incorporate policy analysis and emphasis on sustainability to the study on solar energy usage in residential Malaysia.