The Housing Board (HDB) launches another tender to install solar panels on 99 government sites and 1,290 HDB blocks. The total solar capacity of this will be 75 megawatt-peak (MWp), which aggregates public sector demand for the installation of solar panels.
HDB has progressively rolled out batches of tenders over the years, so as to reap economies of scale and lower costs from the installation of solar panels at neighbouring blocks. These are also subject to tender timelines.
This is the seventh solar leasing tender of the Housing & Development Board (HDB) under the SolarNova programme. The SolarNova programme, led jointly by HDB and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), accelerates the deployment of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in Singapore and helps drive the growth of Singapore’s solar industry.
It is also an integral part of the HDB Green Towns Programme (GTP), which aims to make HDB towns more sustainable and liveable. Including this SolarNova tender, HDB has committed a total solar capacity of 380 MWp for about 8,400 HDB blocks. This is equivalent to powering 95,000 4-room flats with solar energy.
In 2019, HDB announced a new solar target of 540 MWp by 2030, after having achieved its earlier solar target of 220 MWp. This new target could potentially generate 648 GWh of solar energy annually, contributing towards the national solar targets of 1.5 gigawatt-peak (GWp) by 2025, and 2 GWp by 2030 as set out under the Singapore Green Plan.
HDB is the largest driver for the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in Singapore today. Under the SolarNova programme, HDB aggregates public sector demand for the installation of solar panels across HDB blocks and government sites. This generates solar energy and helps to reduce carbon emissions, thereby mitigating the effects of climate change. HDB’s 2030 target of 540 MWp could potentially generate 648 GWh of solar energy annually to power the equivalent of 135,000 4-room HDB flats.
HDB’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tan Meng Dui said, “Our journey in building up our solar capabilities started 14 years ago on a small scale. Today, there are over 10,000 HDB blocks in Singapore, and we strive to install solar panels on as many HDB blocks as possible. Our solar initiatives are a key part of the HDB Green Towns Programme, enabling us to achieve net-zero energy consumption in our HDB common areas. We will continue to leverage new technologies and smart solutions to support the national goal of achieving a green and sustainable Singapore.”
Under the SolarNova programme, solar energy that is harnessed is first used to power common services (e.g. lifts, lights, and water pumps) in HDB estates in the day, with excess energy channeled to the grid. On average, HDB blocks are able to achieve net-zero energy consumption in common areas.
Out of the 8,400 HDB blocks committed, 2,700 HDB blocks have been installed with solar panels to date. Solar panels for the remaining HDB blocks that have been committed are progressively being installed in batches over the next two to three years. HDB is constantly reviewing its plans to incorporate solar panels in HDB blocks, in tandem with the development of new BTO estates and rejuvenation of mature estates, and will continue to support Singapore’s efforts to accelerate its usage of solar energy. To this end, HDB will intensify its efforts to deploy higher efficiency solar panels, install solar panels on more HDB rooftops, and catalyze the public sector’s adoption of solar energy.
The seventh SolarNova tender involves the participation of six agencies, namely the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Ministry of Education, People’s Association, Singapore Polytechnic, Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board, and Ministry of Health. The seventh solar leasing tender will close on 20 May 2022 and is targeted to be awarded in 4Q 2022. Installation of the solar PV systems is expected to be completed by 3Q 2025. The full list of government organizations and sites covered under the seventh SolarNova tender.
