Singapore has been ramping up its solar energy effort in recent years, with the Housing and Development Board (HDB) being the main driver for this push.

On Jan. 4 in Parliament, the Ministry of National Development (MND) announced that the government had surpassed its 2020 solar targets.

This was in response to a question by Member of Parliament for Radin Mas SMC, Melvin Yong, on the status of the solar panel installations on HDB blocks.

Surpassing targets

The previous 2020 target was to reach a total solar capacity of 220 Megawatt-peak (MWp), covering 5,500 HDB blocks.

This amount is equivalent to powering 55,000 four-room flats, reported The Straits Times.

However, these targets were surpassed — to date, the government has awarded tenders for the installation of solar panels on over 5,700 blocks, adding up to a solar capacity of 280 MWp.

The amount of solar energy generated by the 280 MWp solar panels is equivalent to powering 70,300 four-room flats.

It could also potentially reduce carbon emissions by 168,000 tonnes per year.

Presently, around half of the solar panels have been installed.

MND revealed that the remaining half would be progressively installed in batches over the coming two or three years.

Higher target for 2030

In 2019, HDB announced a new solar target of 540 MWp on HDB blocks by 2030.

This is part of the national target to work towards a solar capacity of at least 2 GWp by then.

The 540 MWp solar capacity is equivalent to powering about 135,000 four-room flats with clean energy, and could potentially reducing carbon emissions by 324,000 tonnes per year as well.

In comparison, this would increase clean energy generation by 145 per cent from the previous target.

MND added that it will continue to call for more tenders for the installation of solar panels on HDB rooftops in the coming years.

To achieve the new target, they would also employ higher efficiency panels to optimise space on the rooftop.

Not just HDBs

HDB rooftops are not the only locations solar panels have been installed on.

Floating solar panels, which hover over the surface of water bodies, have been installed at various reservoirs in Singapore.

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