news@theindependent.sg
Dear Editor,
I refer to the report, “Singapore could see 5,000 tonnes of solar panel waste in next 2 years” (ST, July 19).
It is a right and strategic move for Singapore to head towards and place emphasis on the technology development of solar energy.
Singapore has distinctly identified climate change as the most pressing concern for humankind. As we all know, the unpredictable, sweltering and unbearable weather, natural disasters, and biodiversity loss are the attributable devastating consequences.
Hence, reducing long-term environmental impact by using solar power is a renewable energy source that emits no greenhouse gases, as buildings account for about 40% of energy-related carbon emissions.
For example, Sembcorp Solar’s rooftop solar solution system is dedicated to optimising your existing rooftop spaces to generate solar energy, such as for commercial and industrial buildings. And, Perry Management Clean Energy is designated to provide optimal energy solutions for Singapore’s landed property homes.
These clean energy enterprises have been contributing to Singapore’s Green Plan. For example, generating a few hundred of MWp (Megawatt Peak) of solar generation capacity in Singapore and avoiding tonnes of CO₂ emissions per annum. In short, Singapore is aiming to ramp up solar energy deployment to at least two gigawatt-peak by 2030 to fulfil its Singapore Green Plan.
Nowadays, even some of our HDB estates also have installed rooftop solar panels. In due course, an interesting and irresistible question that most HDB flats’ residents like to put forward to the relevant authority would be…
“Would the benefit of electricity cost savings due to solar energy deployment be partially reverted to the resident households, in terms of lower or less costly utility bills for the forthcoming years?”
Inevitably, it is also a pressing need for the specific industry-leading players to brainstorm and work out long-term measures to resolve the disposal of unrecoverable/un-recycled solar panel materials and recycling of useable materials.
Teo Kueh Liang
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of The Independent Singapore.