Speech by Andrew Tan, National Environment Agency CEO, at The Solar Pioneer Awards Ceremony 2011 [Speeches]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning.

Introduction

I am happy to be here with you this morning at the Solar Pioneer Awards Ceremony 2011, jointly organized by the Economic Development Board (EDB), National Environment Agency (NEA) and Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS). This ceremony coincides with the inaugural PV Asia Pacific Expo and the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW). For those of you joining us from abroad, I extend a warm welcome to Singapore.

The Road Ahead – Rapid Urbanisation, Economic Growth and Energy Diversification

Just two days ago, the world population reached 7 billion people. Half that number lives in cities, with another half waiting to enter. If you were to view the world from space, you will see a globe that is dotted with thousands of lights, some brighter, others dimmer. Each of those dots represents a city, town or a village. And you ask yourself – where will we find all this power to light up our homes and industry? As cities grow, the demand for energy increases, so does the price, and all indications point to the end of an era of cheap energy. Read more

It’s too soon to predict a bright future for solar power [News]

By Tilak K. Doshi, For The Straits Times, 14 Sep 2011.

Renewable energy technologies have been receiving much attention in policy circles and the mass media.

High fossil-fuel prices and concerns over global climate change have motivated interest among policymakers and ordinary citizens.

Proponents of renewable energy advocate government support for non-fossil- fuel-based electricity generation.

Won over by promises of energy security and the creation of ‘green’ jobs, many governments have legislated subsidies or other forms of policy support such as feed-in-tariffs (FITs) to compensate producers of renewable energy with guaranteed higher rates. Read more

NCCS and NRF Technology Primers explore energy and carbon technologies for Singapore

The National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) recently commissioned a series of six Technology Primers, which were presented at the NCCS-NRF Symposium on ‘Energy Resilience for Sustainable Growth’ on 4 Aug.

The Technology Primers bring together research experts in Singapore to explore the potential of various technologies that can help Singapore improve its energy efficiency and security, and reduce its carbon emissions.

Each Technology Primer summarises the state of the technology and its feasibility for Singapore, and also includes current research activities and possible research goals. Read more

Senoko may offer solar energy options to HDB households [News]

By Ronnie Lim, The Business Times, 17 Aug 2011.

As part of its ‘green’ ambitions, Singapore’s largest generating company Senoko Energy is now exploring offering solar energy options to HDB households as well as industrial customers here.

‘We are looking at a small initiative into renewables, specifically offering solar energy in the Singapore market,’ Senoko’s chief executive Brendan Wauters told BT yesterday.

This is still at an early stage, and will likely be in collaboration with a solar equipment maker, he disclosed, adding that the genco is targeting both the industrial and HDB markets. Read more

Understanding the Solar Landscape in Singapore with the National Solar Repository

The National Solar Repository of Singapore (NSR) was launched in Nov last year, and is administered by the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS), the Economic Development Board of Singapore (EDB), Singapore Polytechnic, and Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

The NSR serves as a one-stop platform for those interested in understanding the solar landscape in Singapore. The NSR publishes a map and database of the solar photovoltaic (PV) systems installed at commercial, industrial and residential buildings in Singapore. Read more

Solar outlook for the region looks bright for SANYO

Green Business Times recently met up with Dr Hiroyuki Kuriyama, Division President for Energy Systems & Solutions, SANYO Asia Pte Ltd, to understand more about SANYO’s solar products and market outlook.

From the discussion, we believe that the solar outlook for the region looks bright for SANYO, given its superior solar technology, its solar installations successfully tested in the field, and the growing opportunities for solar in Singapore and the region.

Superior Technology

SANYO has more than 30 years of experience in solar technology, and its HIT (Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin layer) solar cells has the world’s highest energy conversion efficiency. The HIT solar cell is an original technology developed by SANYO, and is composed of a mono thin crystalline silicon wafer surrounded by ultra-thin amorphous silicon layers.

Dr Kuriyama explains that the HIT solar cell can achieve the highest cell efficiency of 21.6% and highest module efficiency of 19%. The higher conversion efficiency of HIT solar modules means that more energy can be generated per installation area. This is beneficial in Singapore with our limited land and roof space.

The HIT solar cell can also maintain higher efficiency at high temperatures as compared to a normal crystalline silicon solar cell. This means that the HIT solar cells are suitable for Singapore’s hot climate and would experience less drop in efficiency. In addition, the HIT solar modules are lighter, and more environmentally-friendly as they are lead-free. Read more

Platinum Green Mark Award for Ocean Financial Centre [News]

Singapore’s green drive is reaching new heights. It now boasts of having the highest solar panels in Southeast Asia at the Ocean Financial Centre.

The 43-storey building is the first office development in Singapore to be awarded the Platinum Green Mark Award.

Nestled in the heart of Singapore’s financial district, the Ocean Financial Centre stands out with its sloping roof.

But it is what is on its roof that is getting the green thumb of approval.

At 245 metres above ground, the panels make up the highest solar installation in Southeast Asia.

The height makes the generation of clean energy more effective. Read more

SANYO Completes South East Asia’s Highest Solar Installation at Ocean Financial Centre [Press Release]

Singapore, 21st February, 2011 – SANYO Asia Pte Ltd. (SANYO) is pleased to announce its latest solar panel installation in Singapore that will be situated as high as 245m above ground. A global-leading innovator and manufacturer in environmental technology, SANYO will be carrying out Singapore’s unprecedented and South East Asia’s highest solar panel installation on the roof of 43-storey Ocean Financial Centre, adding yet another laurel to SANYO’s platter of outstanding innovations in the solar panel field.

Developed by Keppel Land Limited, Ocean Financial Centre has been awarded the Green Mark Platinum Award by the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore (BCA) and is a prime Grade A office development strategically located at the intersection of the Raffles Place and Marina Bay precincts of Singapore’s CBD. Read more

NTU Scientists Set Up New Lab to Turn Water Into Hydrogen Fuel [News]

Scientists from the Nanyang Technological University have set up a new laboratory – the first in Asia – that aims to turn water into hydrogen fuel.

According to the researchers, the development of this technology may help to bring down the cost of using solar energy here to nearly the same level as conventional energy sources.

The lab will use what is known as “artificial leaf” technology, inspired by the way leaves use sunlight to produce energy, NTU president-designate Bertil Andersson told reporters yesterday. Read more

Green Business Times Interview – Phoenix Solar Pte Ltd

There has been great interest in solar energy in Singapore over the past few years. To understand more about solar energy technologies, issues and trends, we have the privilege of interviewing Mr Christophe Inglin, Managing Director of Phoenix Solar Pte Ltd.

About Phoenix Solar Pte Ltd

Phoenix Solar Pte Ltd (Phoenix Solar) is the Singapore subsidiary of Germany-based Phoenix Solar AG. The company designs, engineers and installs solar photovoltaic power systems for grid-connected and off-grid applications. Since it started operations here in early 2007, Phoenix Solar has secured contracts for over 400kWp of PV systems in Singapore, Malaysia and China. Read more

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