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Largest solar manufacturing complex in S'pore

I am not against energy saving.

If solar panel are to be place on top of HDB roof tops,
to help to feed the corridors night lights,
will the excess energy be given to homes to help to reduce the energy bills ?

 

 

In Japan too... and many japanese do it not because they could save on energy billl.. but because they want to be environment friendly. It actually costs them a bomb to get the solar energy thingy installed.. and they reckoned that they will not get their investment back in the way of saving on utilities bills soon... however.. as farmer pointed out..new technology and lowering of cost are factors why garment is moving in that direction.

 

but as to being a late comer in this... our garment is more concerned with efficiency and cost effectiveness..See we incinerate rubbish because it is the way to mininise land area needed for keeping rubbish..

 

Many years ago, when I travelled from North to South in Taiwan by train, looking out of the train, I could see many houses having solar panels on their roofs. I was told they used solar energy then for their water heater. 

 

I believe it's the cheaper cost to generate the same amount of energy using current available resources that's holding them back. With the current latest available technology, operating cost have drop significantly thus it make sense to bring them in now as the demand will be there.

 

yes.. it's time.. i didn't understand why it took the govt so long to move in this direction.. given Singapore is so so so hot and sunny almost all year round.. we could have gone greener ages ago.

 

Besides this Norwegian company, if i remember correctly, another German co in this area is also coming into Singapore.. (memory does fail me though)

 

With oil prices at unheard of levels, alternative energy sources will become more viable in the long term.

 

Do u think it would have any growth impact to boost those companies involve in renewable energy?

Norway's REC to build world's largest solar manufacturing complex in S'pore
By Yvonne Cheong, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 26 October 2007 1647 hrs

	Photos 1 of 2 Solar cells
	Related Videos REC to build world's largest solar manufacturing complex in S'pore

SINGAPORE : Singapore has not had a solar energy sector to boast about until Friday.

Renewable Energy Corporation has confirmed that it will build a solar manufacturing plant in Singapore - the largest in the world.

It can produce 1.5 gigawatts a year, or three-quarters of the world's total output last year.

Singapore is basking in the sun for its latest scoop.

The plant will put the country firmly on the world map for clean energy.

Singapore was picked out of a possible 200 locations.

The plant at Tuas View will produce 1.5 gigawatts of solar wafers, cells and modules each year.

Erik Thorsen, President and CEO, Renewable Energy Corporation, says: "The complex will be integrated but it will be developed in stages. We will not turn on 1.5 GW production from one day to another. It's a big complex that we will be developing in stages but it'll be done as fast as we can."

The company's goal is to half the cost of solar modules, bringing it closer to the cost of grid electricity.

With global warming and the rising cost of fuels, it says potential demand for clean energy like solar cannot be measured.

The project is a major win for Singapore and the Economic Development Board says it will spawn a whole new industry in solar energy from research and development and manufacturing to the supply side of the equation.

EC alone will create over 2,000 jobs for skilled personnel from engineers to management.

The EDB says this will ride on Singapore's experience in the semiconductor industry.

Ko Kheng Hua, Managing Director, EDB, says: "Singapore is also at the heart of the Asian sunbelt where energy consumption is rising due economic growth and urbanisation, while at the same time, hundreds of millions do not have access to grid electricity."

Mr Thorsen says: "We will offer training programmes and we are going to collaborate with very dedicated Singapore institutions and universities in order to be able to bring this business and opportunities alive."

The plant will produce solar products that can power several millions of homes. - CNA/ch