Solar testing and development facility opens in Jurong

The Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore opened the only full-scale solar-module testing and development facility in South-east Asia on Friday, July 18, 2014. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO
The Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore opened the only full-scale solar-module testing and development facility in South-east Asia on Friday, July 18, 2014. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO

SINGAPORE - The Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore opened the only full-scale solar-module testing and development facility in South-east Asia on Friday.

The $6 million, 1,700 sq m facility at CleanTech Park in Jurong serves both academic and industry clients and brings together existing facilities which were previously located at the National University of Singapore and International Business Park.

It offers the "natural advantage" of being able to carry out long-term outdoor tests of solar panels in a tropical climate, said Seris deputy chief executive Dr Thomas Reindl.

Its facilities range from being able to simulate different climate conditions, to testing mechanical loads that panels can withstand.

The new facility also enables more researchers to interact and adds capacity to test more modules at the same time.

Seris aims to establish Singapore as the global test centre for solar systems used in the tropics, added.

Solar manufacturers, component makers and buyers have already engaged its services.

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