HDB increases solar target and launches fiŌ h SolarNova tender Reinforcing the commitment to increase clean energy generaƟ on

HDB INCREASES SOLAR TARGET AND LAUNCHES FIFTH SOLARNOVA TENDER

Reinforcing the commitment to increase clean energy generaƟ on.

16 HDB is targeƟ ng to install solar panels on about 10,000 HDB blocks where feasible, to help reduce Singapore’s carbon footprint. Image by HDB.

The Housing & Development Board (HDB) has reinforced its commitment to generate more clean energy with a new solar target of 540 megawatt-peak (MWp) by 2030. This is part of the new national solar target, to work towards at least 2 GWp by 2030, as announced in October 2019 by the Government. With the increase in solar capacity to be achieved, HDB remains the largest driver for installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in Singapore. Having already surpassed the previous solar target of 220 MWp, the new 540 MWp target could potentially generate 648 GWh of clean energy annually. This is equivalent to powering about 135,000 4-room flats with clean energy, and potentially reducing carbon emissions by 324,000 t per year. In comparison, this would increase clean energy generation by 145% from the previous target.

Launch of Fifth SolarNova Tender HDB has called the fifth solar leasing tender under the SolarNova programme led jointly with the Singapore

Economic Development Board (EDB), aggregating public sector demand for the installation of solar panels across 1,154 HDB blocks and 46 government sites. This latest tender will reap 60 MWp of solar energy islandwide, creating more clean energy and helping to reduce carbon emissions, thereby helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. The fifth SolarNova tender involves the participation of six agencies, including Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) who are participating for the first time. The solar leasing tender will close on 2 March 2020, and is targeted to be awarded in 3Q 2020. Installation of the PV systems is expected to be completed by 1Q 2023.

Ramping up solar efforts With advances in solar PV technology, HDB is able to make bolder strides to harness solar energy, as more solar energy can be generated from the same amount of space on HDB rooftops. For instance, the industry standard for solar panels has risen since the start of the SolarNova programme in 2014. Monocrystalline

PERC (Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell) panels, which can convert around 20% of sunlight into electricity, are now more widely used under the programme, rather than polycrystalline panels with an efficiency of 16%. This increase in solar PV efficiency has enabled the installation of solar panels on some of the previously unsuitable rooftop spaces, such as point blocks and partially shaded areas, thereby increasing the solar potential of HDB blocks significantly. HDB’s Chief ExecuƟ ve Offi cer, Dr Cheong Koon Hean said, “HDB has been developing solar capabiliƟ es for the industry since more than 10 years ago. Beyond creaƟ ng green and sustainable towns and estates, we remain a key driver in the growth of Singapore’s solar industry. We will conƟ nue to amplify our solar eff orts as our naƟ on pushes towards its next milestone to generate more clean energy and help combat climate change”. As of December 2019, solar panels have been installed on about 2,060 HDB blocks. Solar PV installaƟ on on another about 2,500 HDB blocks is in progress or will commence soon. The solar energy harnessed is used to power common services in HDB estates such as the blocks’ liŌ s, lights and water pumps in the day. On average, these HDB blocks are able to achieve net-zero energy consumpƟ on in the common areas, with excess solar energy channelled back to Singapore’s electrical grid.

Government OrganisaƟ ons Solar Capacity Sites

HDB 51.104 MWp 1,154 HDB blocks under Marine Parade, East Coast – Fengshan, and Jalan Besar Town Councils

MOE 7.904 MWp 31 schools:

Admiralty Primary School Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School Ang Mo Kio Secondary School Bedok Green Primary School Bedok Green Secondary School Bukit Batok Secondary School Dazhong Primary School Evergreen Secondary School Fern Green Primary School FronƟ er Primary School Huamin Primary School Jiemin Primary School Jurong Secondary School Kong Hwa School Pasir Ris Primary School Pei Chun Public School Punggol Secondary School Qifa Primary School Shuqun Primary School St. Anthony’s Canossian Primary School St. Anthony’s Canossian Secondary School St. Hilda’s Secondary School St. Margaret’s Secondary School Tanjong Katong Girls’ School Teck Ghee Primary School Temasek Primary School Unity Secondary School Wellington Primary School Xinmin Primary School Yishun Town Secondary School Zhenghua Primary School

Government OrganisaƟ ons Solar Capacity Sites

MCCY 365.76 kWp 3 sites:

Coney Island RecepƟ on Hub Sea OperaƟ ons Centre Cliff Wall Shelter

LTA 337.92 kWp 8 sites:

LTA Sin Ming Offi ce LTA Intelligent Transport Systems Centre KPE VenƟ laƟ on Building A KPE VenƟ laƟ on Building B KPE VenƟ laƟ on Building C KPE VenƟ laƟ on Building D KPE VenƟ laƟ on Building E KPE VenƟ laƟ on Building F

NEA 133.76 kWp New Choa Chu Kang Cemetary Offi ce

CPF 128.96 kWp 2 sites:

CPF Tampines CPF Jurong

PA 25.6 kWp Upcoming Tengah PL C2 Community Club

Total 60 MWp