SINGAPORE!! Survey time!!

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The cost saving from using solar panels in Singapore homes is going to be extremely attractive when the cost of electricity goes up over these uncertain times when fossil fuels is getting scarce and inevitable geopolitical effects on energy producing countries.

Singapore being one of the richest South East Asian countries and is conveniently located near the equator of the earth where we enjoy summer all year round with almost limitless potential as a technology transfer destination and testing hotbed for Solar Energy.

On 21st February 2006, someone had posted a suggestion on using solar panels but was effectively shot down by Mr. Ong Seng Eng (NEA) stating the use of generators with conventional gas or diesel is more cost effective and less troublesome!

The good news is according to Channelnewsasia news report, an S$200,000 solar panel is the first to be hooked up to the national grid It was launched on Friday 23rd March 06 by the German solar power systems company Sunset and its Singapore unit Sunseap.

However, there is still need much more convincing for the government to put their acts together to implement a more wide spread solar panel projects on all housing in Singapore. I had read the blog from my friend shooperman about doing a survey to find out how many residents of Singapore are ready to invest on solar panels and how much, hopefully ALL who read his blog and are living in Singapore please click here to SingaporePeakOil blog for more details about the survey.

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  • Richard Chung

    I think the capital cost of converting solar energy is still an issue. Morever the degree of reliability is of concern esp at night. It’s more susceptile to interruptions and disruptions. Any ideas to address these points?

  • http://simontay78.wordpress.com/ simontay78

    That’s a great question.

    The more troublesome method is to maintain a storage of rechargeable batteries with limited life span but you get to use the electricity even when there is NO electricity from the power grid. This however is limited to essential emergency appliances (e.g. lights, fans, boiling etc) since the nett storage capacity of batteries is limited.

    My friend, shooperman, once told me about a concept that they had utilized SOLAR Panels to generate an certain amount of electricity convert back to the power-grid. When you utilize the electricity at your location the meter will read

    Total Used = Electricity Consumed – Electricity Generated by your Solar Panels

    This means the electricity could be push back into the power grid for all to use and when you need the electricity they will cancel off what you had contributed previously and hence paying less money. However I am not sure if this is implemented for individual HDB flats at the moment.

  • Marker

    Hi it is possible to install an module between the panels and the power grid. So when the panels dosnt generate enough power anymore, it will switch to the normal power grid without any interuption – ie when the batteries are getting depleted.

    I’m going to install a 60Sqm panel later this year. according to my calculations I will be able to generate 14.4Kw / Year here in Singapore, this almost covering the whole amount of expected electricity for the house.

    Take a ride in Serangoon Area around next year when the house and new roof are done.

    Ps. Ong Seng Eng (NEA) is so bloody wrong. Panels have a 20 year expected lifetime and the costs occuring for a system like mine will be paid back in 5 years (with current electricity bills)

  • http://simontay78.wordpress.com/ simontay78

    There is a fail safe module that I heard before for computer servers to run batteries if main power if off/black out.

    I believe that it can be done but is currently beyond my capabilites…hmmm should be a detection of lower current below a certain Ampere then activate the main power.

    Usually if I am using Solar Panels, I don’t use it on really intensive electrical appliances such as fridge and air-con. I use it on lights currently and later upgrade to be able to charge my laptop and radio. My desktop is hard as it uses much more electricity.

    If your new solar roof top can handle the load + a network of solid batteries should be able to handle much more.

    Make sure your Invertor is a solid one (12 V DC to 230 V AC) so that it will not spoil before your solar panels! :)

    Yes our dear leaders are earning huge amount from enery sector….keppel, seraya, senoko, sembcorp, tuas (ALL SELL ELECTRICITY) all Under Temasek.

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