Singapore Launches National Solar Repository
The National Solar Repository (NSR) was launched today by the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) in collaboration with Singapore Polytechnic.
The launch took place at an industry event co-organised by the Singapore Business Federation (SBF), the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS) as well as the Clean Energy Programme Office (CEPO) co-led by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and Energy Market Authority (EMA).
The NSR captures data from solar photovoltaic (PV) systems installed in Singapore, ranging from commercial, industrial to residential buildings.
To date, more than half of Singapore’s installed solar systems are being monitored under the NSR. With the aim of accelerating solar adoption in Singapore, SERIS will analyse the systems’ performance data, and share the best practices and know-how in solar system installation and integration through a handbook for optimised PV system-design in the tropics.
The repository’s website (www.solar-repository.sg) displays the location of each PV system on an interactive map of Singapore, as well as photographs of the various PV systems across the island.
Interested companies or individuals can also access background information about solar photovolatics from the website, and contact the range of listed solar system integrators for further information.
“Singapore, with its dedication towards clean technology, has the unique chance to lead the pace for the dissemination of solar power in tropical climates. Testing and systems optimisation today is still more focussed on moderate climate zones, predominately in the Northern hemisphere. The conditions here are much more diverse, and we have to understand the implications on the technology. A comprehensive database across Singapore is a crucial next step as we move into the solar age. This is especially so in a few years time, where having reached grid parity, we will have to smoothly integrate thousands of solar PV systems into the electric power grid. By then, we will see the true value of the National Solar Repository,” said Professor Joachim Luther, CEO of SERIS.
At the event, CEPO also awarded a second wave of private sector projects with the Solar Pioneer Award, supported under the S$20 million Solar Capability Scheme. The six projects are GKE’s Warehouse cum Office; Keppel Land’s prime Grade A commercial development, Ocean Financial Centre; REC’s Integrated Solar Manufacturing Facility; SOLID Asia’s project at United World College’s (UWC) Tampines Campus; Standard Chartered Bank’s Building at Changi Business Park and Woh Hup’s Headquarters Building.
The projects were chosen based on innovation, design, cost effectiveness and skills development.
For example, GKE’s solar installation features a mounting system which eliminates the need to drill holes on the roof surface, thereby avoiding the risk of leakage or rusting.
Woh Hup’s installation is the first solar testbed project in Singapore to use solar thin film CIGS cylindrical modules. SOLID Asia’s solar-thermal project at UWC, when completed, will be the largest solar cooling system in the world.
The new testbed sites add to the installed base of solar systems in Singapore, which have increased exponentially from just 200kWp in mid-2008 to about 10,000kWp from the secured projects to-date, when fully completed.
These testbed projects create opportunities for various industry players in Singapore’s solar ecosystem, including system integrators, architects, engineers, developers and technology providers. Through their participation in these projects, Singapore-based companies can hone their expertise and build up a strong track record, positioning them for commercial opportunities in the regional and global markets.
Commenting on the awards, Dr Beh Swan Gin, Managing Director of EDB and co-Executive Director of CEPO said, “These private sector projects are part of Singapore’s Living Laboratory initiative to help companies develop, testbed and demonstrate innovative products and solutions.
These testbed projects will enable the solar industry ecosystem in Singapore to build up important capabilities, which can then be scaled up to capture opportunities in global markets.”
Mr Lawrence Wong, Chief Executive of EMA and co-Executive Director of CEPO said, “These new developments will help to facilitate the adoption of solar power in Singapore in the medium to longer term, thereby diversifying our energy sources for greater energy security, economic competitiveness and environmental sustainability. We encourage more companies to develop innovative and cost-competitive energy solutions, which would enable Singapore to reduce its carbon emissions and increase its energy options.”
Topics: 2010, Asia, building, business, CEPO, clean energy, commercial, economic development, economic growth, Economy, EDB, EMA, employment, energy, energy independence, Energy Market Authority, environment, Governance, government, investment, jobs, moniter, monitor, National Solar Energy Repository, news, NSR, Pacific, PV, renewable energy, residential, SBF, seas, SERIS, Singapore, Singapore Business Federation, Singapore Economic Development Board, Singapore Polytechnic, society, solar energy, Solar Energy Institute of Singapore, Solar Photovoltaic Systems, solar power, solar-repository.sg, Susatainable Energy Association of Singapore
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