An international school in Singapore has installed a 1-megawatt-peak (MWp) solar panel system on its roof, one of the largest single-site installations here and the largest on a school campus.

The Singapore American School in Woodlands will also use the system to teach its 3,800 students about renewable energy, climate change, sustainable engineering and other topics. The solar photovoltaic system, which harnesses the sun's energy for electricity, takes up 6,000 sqm of roof space and will meet about 10 per cent of the school's energy needs. Over a 20-year lifespan, it will save as much carbon emissions as planting 500,000 trees.

The only other single-site 1-MWp system in Singapore is at the Keppel Seghers Ulu Pandan NEWater Plant.

US Ambassador to Singapore Kirk Wagar, Sembawang MP Ong Teng Koon, and Economic Development Board cleantech director Goh Chee Kiong attended the launch of the solar panel system on Saturday. Singapore American School superintendent Dr Chip Kimball said: "The solar project is not just a bold statement on sustainability; it's a testament to our commitment to prepare our students for the future."