Solar panels to be installed at more than 1,000 HDB blocks and government sites, including schools
Article of the Week! Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Do indicate your name and class for a gift 💬
SINGAPORE: EDP Renewables APAC will install solar panels at more than 1,000 Housing and Development Board (HDB) blocks and government sites after it was awarded HDB's largest solar leasing tender.
More than 320,000 solar panels will be installed across 1,075 HDB blocks and 101 government-owned buildings, with a total solar capacity of 130 megawatt-peak (MWp).
This is about 15 per cent higher than the earlier estimates of 113 MWp, said HDB in a press release on Tuesday (Feb 27).
Once fully operational, the project will collectively power more than 50,000 four-room flats and potentially reduce carbon emissions by at least 96,360 metric tonnes each year, according to the company.
Installation of the solar panels is expected to start in the second quarter of this year and be completed by the third quarter of 2026.
The 1,075 HDB blocks are under Aljunied-Hougang, Nee Soon and Sengkang town councils.
The government sites include schools, hospital buildings and shopping centres.
"Solar panels for the remaining HDB blocks, where feasible, will progressively be installed in batches over the next three years. Actual installation will be determined based on the site conditions of each block," said HDB.
PROLONGING LIFESPAN OF SOLAR PANELS
The latest installation will include the use of a novel advanced technology to prolong the lifespan of solar panels.
Solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years while undergoing natural degradation due to ageing and changing weather conditions, said HDB.
Due to degradation, a solar panel would on average generate around 12 per cent to 15 per cent less power towards the end of its lifespan.
To prolong the lifespan of a solar panel, EDP Renewables has collaborated with EtaVolt to pilot an advanced regeneration technology that can extend the lifespan of each solar panel by four to five years.
EtaVolt is a technological spin-off from the Nanyang Technological University, focusing on sustainable solar renewable energy businesses in Singapore and other countries in Asia.
"This patented technology developed by EtaVolt relies on intense light to re-energise the solar cells and repair them at the molecular level, to recover up to 5 per cent of the solar panel’s efficiency, depending on panel structures, in minutes," said HDB.
"This advanced regeneration activity only needs to be carried out at most once a year."
To date, about 3,900 HDB blocks have been installed with solar panels.
Under the SolarNova programme, HDB has so far committed a total solar capacity of 455 MWp across its estates, which is equivalent to powering about 114,000 four-room flats.
This is almost 85 per cent of its solar target of 540 MWp by 2030.
In HDB estates, solar energy that is harnessed is first used to power common services, such as lifts, lights, and water pumps.
"Excess solar energy is then channelled to the grid. On average, we have been able to achieve net-zero energy consumption for the common areas of HDB blocks where solar panels have been installed," said HDB.
AWARD OF TENDERS TO RETROFIT LIFTS
HDB has also awarded tenders to Chevalier Singapore and EM Services to retrofit 4,000 lifts with the Elevator Energy Regeneration System (EERS).
The work will start in the second quarter of this year and will be completed by 2030.
The EERS recovers energy generated during lift movement and braking operations, to power other services such as lighting, ventilation, and the lift display panel within the lift.
With the system, lift energy consumption can be reduced by an average of 20 per cent, said HDB.
Tell us your name and class
ReplyDeleteWhat are your thoughts on the increase of solar panels?