REC supplies panels for Singapore's biggest solar installation

REC Group is supplying solar panels for two large-scale solar energy installations in Singapore. One of the rooftop installations - for supermarket giant Sheng Siong Group - is the country’s largest solar installation to date. The second installation, at the new Singapore Sports Hub, uniquely showcases solar technology.

The two installations are expected to collectively generate 2359 MWh of power and save 1189 tonnes of CO₂ each year. The projects will be developed and operated by REC’s long-standing project partner Phoenix Solar.

“We are delighted to be part of these new projects,” said Luc Graré, senior vice president solar sales and marketing, REC.

“The fact that Phoenix Solar has again chosen REC for the two forthcoming installations testifies to the premium quality of the REC products. We’re also convinced our local presence makes all the difference to success. REC is excellently positioned to serve the local market, having established its own factory at the centre of the action - right in Singapore - to produce high-performing solar panels for the Asia region.”

The record-breaking solar project will be located at Sheng Siong’s distribution arm, CMM Marketing Management. Phoenix Solar will install this system using 4700 high-performing REC 255 Peak Energy solar panels. Phoenix has optimised the rooftop space to create an 11,000 m², 1.2 MW solar power plant that will generate enough energy to cover at least 15% of CMM’s electricity requirements. It will also offset at least 730 tonnes of CO₂ annually from Singapore’s gas-fired power stations.

Artist’s impression of the Sheng Siong solar installation.

The Singapore Sports Hub project is a flagship project that Phoenix says will consolidate the role of solar as a mainstream power source for the country. The Sports Hub offers plenty of space for the 7000 m² rooftop installation.

As well as producing solar energy, the array of 2721 REC 260 Peak Energy solar panels will act as a kind of sunshade for the roof, reducing the heat conducted to the building.

The system is expected to generate more than 919,100 kWh of energy each year - enough to power 183 Singaporean households. It will also mitigate approximately 459 tonnes of CO₂ annually. According to REC, the Sports Hub will benefit from the 25-year power output warranty of the REC solar panels.

“Thanks to the reliability of REC solar panels, Phoenix Solar can guarantee the Sports Hub stable electricity prices over a time horizon of over 20 years, with no up-front investment,” said Graré.

“Both the projects are illustrative of a wider trend in Singapore to large-scale rooftop projects,” said Christophe Inglin, managing director of Phoenix Solar.

“With land at a premium in the city state, rooftop systems are the location of choice, and the new larger-scale installations provide excellent commercial (and environmental) ROI: investors can now expect a solar power generation project to pay for itself within seven to ten years.”

With annual sunshine hours that are the envy of other countries, Singapore offers excellent opportunities for solar projects. And the country’s appetite for solar power continues to grow: solar capacity in Singapore is expected to double to 20 MW or more by the end of 2013.