“To get there, we will harness solar energy wherever we can across Singapore,” said Minister of State for Energy, Trade and Industry Gan Siow Huang.
Singapore has launched a whole-of-government solar demand aggregation framework to hit an expanded target of 4 gigawatt-peak (GWp) by 2035, utilizing public spaces, innovative surface technologies, and mobile battery systems to drive clean energy adoption.
Unifying Public Sector Requirements
Gan announced the initiative at the Asia Clean Energy Summit, held alongside the Singapore International Energy Week.
The Energy Market Authority (EMA) rolled out the initiative on Tuesday, Oct. 27. It brings together solar energy requirements across multiple government bodies.
ChannelNewsAsia noted that the framework appoints a panel of solar photovoltaic installers. These professionals assist agencies in evaluating building potential and designing customized deployment strategies.
Pushing Beyond Conventional Rooftops
Conventional rooftop installations have already reached more than 5,000 Housing & Development Board (HDB) blocks and public spaces through programs like SolarNova. However, authorities are now looking beyond standard roofs to meet the 2035 milestone.
To incentivize industry development around tricky deployment hurdles, JTC introduced two distinct innovation challenges on Tuesday, according to ChannelNewsAsia. The first initiative focuses on direct building-facade installations.
Deploying solar on facades introduces structural, design, orientation, maintenance, and cost complexities compared to flat rooftops. JTC’s second challenge tackles temporary worksites that lack grid access and currently rely on diesel generators. The agency wants containerised solar panels paired with mobile battery energy storage systems.
Alternative Public Premises and Carports
Meanwhile, EMA’s new tender opens up alternative public premises. These include solar carports, building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), and building-applied photovoltaics (BAPV). Such efforts maximize limited land and structural footprints across diverse tenures.
| Metric / Target | Current Baseline / Scope | Target / Objective |
|---|---|---|
| National Solar Capacity | Expanded national deployment | 4 gigawatt-peak (GWp) by 2035 |
| Long-Term Energy Mix | Incremental clean energy integration | Up to 10% of electricity needs by 2050 |
| Public Housing Reach | Over 5,000 HDB blocks equipped | Expanding via SolarNova & new framework |
Streamlining Homeowner Solar Connections
Beyond public infrastructure, Singapore is targeting private property avenues.
AsiaOne.com reported that EMA is partnering with the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore to streamline connections between homeowners and qualified installers. Further details are scheduled for release next year.
These measures run parallel to grid-readiness upgrades managed by regulatory authorities. The goal is to ensure stable distribution as intermittent renewable supply scales up. Solar energy is projected to supply up to 10% of Singapore’s total electricity demand by 2050.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
