Summary Reader Response Draft #3

   This article written by the HDB “HDB to Bring Solar Energy to Over 8,000 Blocks through SolarNova Programme” aims to summarize what the SolarNova Programme is about as well as what it has achieved in recent years in which the seventh solar leasing tender has been called. HDB has steadily deployed tenders through the years and significantly gained economically and to installed solar panels cheaper. The article also reported that HDB Green Town programme has been working towards sustainable living by adding greenery as well as reduce energy consumption by using solar energy. HDB being the biggest promoter of solar panels is pressured by the public sector to install more solar panels. It was also reported that this will assist in reducing carbon emissions and reducing effects of climate change. According to the CEO of HDB Mr Tan (2022), in the same article, in the 14 years that HDB has been operating there are now 10000 flats with solar panels. Initially, solar energy was used for everyday facilities in HDB. The article also stated that HDBs are capable of reaching a self-sufficient state in common areas and that it has been mandatory to install smart electrical sub-meters since the sixth SolarNova tender, allowing the necessary organizations to observe and investigate energy consumption patterns as well as their performance. With the collected information, HDB can advance and better the system as well as spot malfunctions much easier. Solar panels are due to be installed steadily through the next 2 to 3 years for flats without it. Its implementation is being continually reevaluated, together with the development of newer BTOs, and will continue supporting Singapore's efforts to accelerate its use of solar energy.


The SolaNova Programme implementation in using solar panels is definitely an improvement in terms of how energy is utilized in Singapore due to its much better cost efficiency and how it reduces the environmental effects of more commonly used sources of energy, mainly fossil fuels. However, there are certain drawbacks to the programme which includes the initial installation costs of the solar panels as well as the environmental impacts of the manufacturing of the solar panels. (Thesis)


One advantage of the programme is in the fact that it has a much better cost efficiency. The SolarNova programme utilizes solar energy to power its flats, this helps the residents staying there reduce their energy costs, which is even more prevalent with the increasing cost of electricity in light of the Ukraine-Russian tensions (Cheong 2022). The solar energy that is gathered are used to power the common areas, with the extra energy sent to the grid, in turn easing the costs of power for the residents. This is a definite improvement to the general quality of life of the residents as it relieves them of an extra costs.


Another advantage of the programme is that it is more environmentally friendly as compared to its other energy producing counterparts. The SolarNova programme aims to promote and increase the use of solar energy. This is a significantly better energy source as compared to the more commonly used source of energy, fossil fuels, in terms of how it reduces environmental effects. The burning of fossil fuels creates very lasting detriments to the environment. This is via the emission of CO2 gas, causing environmental pollution, as stated by a scholarly article written by Kannan(2016). In the same article, the reserves of fossil fuels currently being used are bound to be running out by 2300. Solar energy on the other hand is a source of renewable energy and reduces the CO2 emission by a significant amount and mitigating climate change. This is done by reducing and replacing the use of energy by other energy sources. This is definitely an improvement to the environmental situation in Singapore.


The use of solar energy, although has its pros, does contain some drawbacks. One of those will be the use of certain chemicals that have the capability to cause fires or toxic gas that may be harmful to the environment as stated by Tsuotsos(2003) in an article authored by him. However, he did mention in his article that the leakage is something that can be easily mitigated with proper work practices. This added on to the benefits that the solar panels produced can give, far outweighs the potential hazard that has been raised in contention.


Another drawback from using solar panels is the initial installation costs being costly. Solar panels being added to a house or flat can cost a hefty amount, making it another point up for debate as to whether it is a general improvement or just not worth the price. As of 2022 to install a solar panel on the roof, about 15000 to 25000 dollars are expected according to Center for Sustainable Energy as cited in New York Times(2022). However, considering the long term effects that installing a solar panel on a flat can have on the finances alone is enough to make installing it worth it. 


While the SolarNova programme may have various drawbacks to its implementation as stated above, its benefits far outweighs its drawbacks; making it a definite and unquestionable improvement as compared to when it was not implemented.



References

Bhunia, P. et al. (2020) Largest solar leasing tender issued under SolarNova Programme for 848 HDB blocks and 27 government sites in Singapore, OpenGov Asia. Available at: https://opengovasia.com/largest-solar-leasing-tender-issued-under-solarnova-programme-for-848-hdb-blocks-and-27-government-sites-in-singapore/


Cheong, D. (2022) How has HDB's SolarNova programme fared, and why is this important?, 99.co property website singapore. Available at: https://www.99.co/singapore/insider/solar-nova-hdb/ 

HDB to bring solar energy to over 8,000 blocks through SolarNova programme (2022) HDB. Available at: https://www.hdb.gov.sg/about-us/news-and-publications/press-releases/HDB-to-bring-solar-energy

 Kannan, N. (2016) Solar Energy for future world: - A Review, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. Pergamon. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032116301320 

Kaysen, R. (2022) Are solar panels a good investment?, The New York Times. The New York Times. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/26/realestate/solar-panel-cost.html

Myers, J. (2022) Solar panels and their effect on the environment, Environmental Protection. Available at: https://eponline.com/articles/2022/12/09/solar-panels-and-their-effect.aspx#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20major%20environmental,compared%20to%20other%20energy%20sources.

The positive and negative environmental impacts of solar panels (no date) Kuby Energy. Available at: https://kubyenergy.ca/blog/the-positive-and-negative-environmental-impacts-of-solar-panels 

Tsoutsos, T. et al. (2003) Environmental impacts from the Solar Energy Technologies, Energy Policy. Elsevier. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301421503002416?casa_token=T_8L9l19 

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