HDB to call solar panel tender next year and will combine demand from other agencies

Solar panels installed by solar firm Sunseap on top of HDB blocks in Punggol. -- PHOTO: SERIS
Solar panels installed by solar firm Sunseap on top of HDB blocks in Punggol. -- PHOTO: SERIS

SINGAPORE - The Housing Board (HDB) will call a tender for solar panels next year that aggregates demand across government agencies, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said in a blog post on Thursday.

The HDB will take the lead as it has the most experience with and the greatest installation of solar photovoltaic panels in Singapore, said Mr Khaw. There are now 176 HDB blocks with solar panels and that number will rise to 300 next year.

HDB is will help other agencies ride on HDB's bulk tenders for solar panels and hence enjoy lower costs.

The first tender with aggregated demand will be called next year, said Mr Khaw. The Defence Ministry has expressed interest to install solar panels on the rooftops of their camps and the Education Ministry is looking into using the rooftops of schools, he said.

In March, the Government said that it wants to raise the adoption of solar energy here to 350 MWp by 2020, about 5 per cent of annual electricity demand. Mr Khaw noted that HDB will contribute 220 MWp, with solar panels at 5,500 HDB blocks. "This could generate enough electricity to provide for common services and households in a town the size of Woodlands!" he said.

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