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Industry Spotlight & Innovation
The Energy Market Authority (EMA) is currently exploring both forecasting and energy storage as ways to build a more dynamic energy landscape for Singapore that can accommodate an increasingly signi cant proportion
of solar power.
today, this is not likely to be of immediate concern. However, occasionally higher degradation or under-performing panels, as well as the so-called “re-powering” of some solar installations will add to the number of panels that need to be disposed of or recycled. Therefore, there must be a thorough plan in place to retire solar panels and ancillary equipment that have reached its useful lifespan. Singapore is adopting a two-pronged approach to this challenge.
Today, the National Environmental Agency (NEA) has in place an e-waste management system that places an obligation on all producers of solar panels to o er free take-back of all their end-of-life equipment from their clients upon request. The agency is also working with SERIS, Singapore Polytechnic and recycling companies to develop a cost-e ective solution for solar panel recycling. With those measures in place, Singapore will be better equipped to ensure that solar energy systems that have reached the end of their useful lifespans are properly managed with environmental considerations in mind, and so will not create an e-waste problem in the future.
Charting the Way Forward
The future of solar energy here is bright. Singapore is serious about doing its part to combat climate change, and this is clearly evident from the policies and mandates that have been set out by the Government. It is heartening to see strong cooperation amongst public agencies, academia and
06 Solar arrays at the Marina Barrage overlooking Downtown Core.
06
commercial companies to both proliferate solar energy systems, and explore solutions to help overcome shortcomings where they exist. Solar energy will be an integral part of a cleaner and more dynamic energy landscape of future Singapore. This booming industry will require professional workers with a new set of skills. Driven by rapidly evolving technologies, these new- age workers will have to develop skillsets in fields such as data analytics, machine learning and cybersecurity to better design, build, operate and maintain not just future solar energy systems, but also the other parts of the grid that support them.
By 2030, Singapore will have an even more robust and sustainable energy landscape compared to today, and we will continue to build towards a cleaner and greener future that the next generation can be proud of. Singapore has come a long way in our Energy Story, but there remains much to be done. So, how would you like to be involved?
The author would also like to thank the following contributors for their inputs:
• Dr Thomas REINDL
Deputy CEO, SERIS • Celine PATON
Senior Financial Analyst, SERIS • Dr Anupam KUMAR
Research Fellow, Solar Forecasting,
SERIS
• Dr Jamie BRIGHT
Research Fellow, Solar Forecasting,
SERIS
• Dr Jai PRAKASH SINGH
Head of the Silicon Solar Module
Technology Group, SERIS • Dr KHOO Yong Sheng
Head of the PV Modules Development
Group, SERIS
• Dr Serena LIN Fen
Head of the Tandem Solar Cells Group, SERIS
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