S’pore solar industry still fledgling [News]

By Lynda Hong, Channel NewsAsia, 2 Nov 2011.

China’s third-largest maker of solar panels may have made Singapore its Asian Pacific headquarters, but observers said Singapore solar companies are still in their early stages to even consider offering their output to the public.

Still, this sunrise industry offers an exciting horizon ahead.

Across Asia, the solar industry got a boost with feed-in tariffs that reduced the cost of renewable energy.

These are cost-based compensation to renewable energy producers to help finance renewable energy investments.

But Singapore made the exception. Read more

Solar company hopes for sunny outcome [News]

By Jessica Cheam, The Straits Times, 19 Sep 2011.

Business is heating up for a little-known company in Singapore’s fledgling solar sector.

Barely days after scoring a Housing Board (HDB) contract to install and operate an $11 million solar system for 45 residential blocks in Punggol under a leasing model, local solar product manufacturer Sunseap Enterprises has inked a similar leasing deal with sushi group Sakae Holdings.

It is the first contract for Sunseap under its solar-leasing programme for commercial buildings, which it launched last week, its director Frank Phuan told The Straits Times.

Under a 20-year lease agreement, Sunseap will install 1,400 solar panels for a 270 kilowatt-peak solar system – which will generate more than 300,000 kilowatt hours of power annually – on the roof of Sakae’s Tai Seng Building in Upper Paya Lebar. A watt peak is a measure of power output used in relation to photovoltaic solar-energy devices. Read more

HDB unveils first solar-leasing project [News]

By Jessica Cheam, The Straits Times, 16 Sep 2011.

The largest property developer here has unveiled an innovative solar project that will soon power 45 residential blocks in Punggol with the sun’s energy.

The Housing Board yesterday inked a ‘solar-leasing’ agreement with local solar manufacturer Sunseap Enterprises, which will design, install and maintain the $11 million system.

The 2MWp (megawatt peak) solar photovoltaic set-up converts sunlight into electricity, which will then power common-area facilities such as corridor lights and lifts in the 45 blocks. A watt peak is a measure of power output used in relation to photovoltaic solar energy devices. Read more

Sunseap bags HDB’s tender award to produce 2-MW solar power for Punggol eco-town [Press Releases]

Solar manufacturer and leasing services provider, Sunseap Group, today announced that its subsidiary, Sunseap Enterprises, has won the Housing Development Board’s (HDB) solar leasing tender contract to install and supply 2 megawatts of photovoltaic (PV) rooftop solar system in Punggol eco-town. The lease option is believed to be the first-ever of its kind in Singapore and in the region. The program helps building owners stay competitive while doing the right thing for the environment.

A signing ceremony was held on 15 September 2011 at the HDB Hub in Toa Payoh between Sunseap Enterprises and the statutory board. The tender is part of HDB’s Solar Capability Building Programme, supported by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development. The generated electricity from the solar panel will be used by Pasir Ris-Punggol Town Council to power lights in common areas, lifts and pumps, among other services. Read more

Punggol eco-town to test-bed energy solutions for public housing [News]

By Dylan Loh, Channel NewsAsia, 1 Aug 2011.

One block of public housing in Singapore’s Punggol eco-town will be a test-bed for environmentally-friendly energy solutions.

The project is a collaboration between Japanese electronics giant Panasonic and government agencies – the Housing and Development Board, the Economic Development Board and the Energy Market Authority.

It aims to get 10 households in the block of HDB flats to participate and may include more homes later.

An integrated energy system will help families reduce their carbon footprint and utilities bill.

Energy-producing solar panels will be fitted on the block of flats and these will power lifts and lighting during the day. Read more

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