Summary / Reader Response (Draft 4)
The article “What are solar light panels and how do they work (The Economic Times, 2019)” served as an introduction to the public on solar light panel’s features and applications. A solar light panel system consists of photovoltaic (PV) modules, electrical connections, an inverter, a breaker box, and batteries. The PV modules, made of crystalline silicon solar cells, are used for converting light energy from the sun into electricity to be used or stored. Solar panels generate direct current (DC) electricity, and an inverter is then used to convert the electrical currents into alternating currents (AC). Once the current is converted into AC current, the current flows from the inverter into the breaker box which distributes the electrical energy across the building and acts as a fuse if required. Lastly, the batteries act as storage units for the converted currents to be used when needed. By having their own renewable and infinite source of energy using just the sun, users can save money and cut cost their electricity bills. Solar light panels are also known to be very durable and do not deteriorate easily. While the solar cells by themselves are very delicate, the exterior framing and glass make up for that weakness. In addition, when using solar light panels, they do not produce and emit harmful greenhouse gases which cuts down on air pollution. “Using solar energy can have a positive, indirect effect on the environment when solar energy replaces or reduces the use of other energy sources that have larger effects on the environment (eia, 2022)”.
As a result of rising fuel prices, the need for renewable source energy is much more in demand. With the benefits listed so far, one could wonder why Singapore has yet to implement a full-scale installation nationwide. The need for space and the panels being weather-dependent however are constraints that lead potential users to think twice before committing to the product. By enhancing the Solar light panel system's battery capabilities, and making use of HDB rooftops as a platform for Solar light panels to be implemented directly, the Energy Market Authority (EMA), together with Housing Development Board (HDB) has taken steps and are working hand in hand to make the use of solar light panels more impactful in the local context.
For the first step, EMA has managed to counter the flaw of solar light panels being weather dependent by deploying the first utility-scale energy storage system to act as an additional battery in 2020. Solar light panels are unable to generate electricity without sunlight such as at night or during the day when it rains or if it is just cloudy, this is where storage comes into play. Solar light panels store electricity so that even during days when the panels are not able to pick up any solar energy, there will still be electricity that can be provided to the facilities. “While batteries are used to store solar-generated electricity on a localized basis, the true challenge lies in developing efficient and reliable utility-scale assets that can manage storage across an entire power grid” (Gorman & Bandera, 2022). The new storage system, also known as the Energy Storage System (ESS), provides a capacity big enough for over 200 HDB units in a day alone. This project not only allows more HDB buildings to adopt the installation but also “seeks to address solar intermittency for large-scale solar installations by using HDB blocks as test sites” (Gorman & Bandera, 2022).
For the next step, HDB has been able to utilize its space by having solar light panels planted on its rooftops to respond to the need for space issues for solar light panels. The PV cells come in different shapes and sizes and may include a maximum length of several inches (The Economic Times, 2019). HDB is able to take advantage of the PV cell's variation feature to find the right size and quantity to fit onto the rooftops of HDB buildings. As solar light panels work best under direct sunlight, this movement can save space without affecting the solar light panel’s performance. Additionally, there have been other developments as well which played a part in further countering the space situation, “these include mobile solar PV systems that can be used on temporarily vacant land and relocated as necessary” (Gorman & Bandera, 2022).
However, there are flaws that Singapore has yet to find an answer for. As technology is always improving, newer devices are always surfacing, and it is only natural for customers to want to ensure they are using the latest and most efficient model. The issue is not the replacement of solar panels but solar panel waste becoming an underlying concern. Co-founder of solar tech firm EtaVolt, Dr. Stanley Wang estimated that “up to 5,000 tonnes of photovoltaic waste could be generated within the next two years, assuming that these solar panels are not recycled properly” (Tan, 2022). It is expensive to recycle solar panels, and locally there are not many vendors who are familiar with the recycling of solar light panels. What makes recycling solar panels expensive is that “they are made of materials such as aluminum, glass, and silicon, which can be potentially recycled, but are often difficult to separate” (Tan,2022). Despite the hurdle, Singapore is still going strong in finding solutions. Scientists and researchers from Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*Star) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have recently discovered a way to upcycle the silicon inside solar panels and recycle them into thermoelectric materials (Tan,2022). Additionally, Semcorp and Singapore Polytechnic are playing their part as well with the target to commercialize Singapore’s first solar panel recycling process.
In conclusion, Singapore’s effort to kickstart the use of solar light panels and solar energy has not been in vain and has in fact advanced a long way. Singapore authorities and EMA have been and continue to work hard in expanding the implementation of solar light panels across our country, with the aim that one-day solar energy will be able to replace fossil fuels and oil as Singapore’s source of renewable.
References
What are solar light panels and how do they work. (2019). The Economic Times.
Solar energy and the environment. (2022,). eia (Energy information administration).
Gorman, M., & Bandera, M. (2022). Why is sunny Singapore not covered with rooftop solar panels? Channel New Asia (CNA).
Tan, C. (2022). Singapore could see 5,000 tonnes of solar panel waste in next 2 years. The Straits Times.
Q, Ang. (2022). Energy storage systems deployed to grow Singapore's solar power capacity. The Straits Times.
Tan, C. (2022). Scientists from A*Star, NTU find way to upcycle old solar panels. The Straits Times.
Thanks so much, Isaac, for making this extra effort with this fine revision. All the best!
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