Singapore's first solar farm with an integrated rainwater harvesting system was opened this month. Using the country's rainy weather, the facility is designed with the latest rainwater harvesting system to collect 170,000 cubic meters of water annually. The collected rainwater will be used to cool and clean the solar panels for optimum performance.
Cutting-edge facility
Using the latest technology, the 17.6 megawatt-peak (MWp) facility, will generate enough energy to power about 4,700 four-room homes a year. The facility scores high on mobility also. It can be packed up over four months and can be set up at another site in two months.
While solar energy is one of Singapore's most viable sources of renewable energy, the country faces the constraints of limited space and overcast skies caused by its tropical climate. This innovative facility will not only help boost efficiency and yield but also ensure that the space is well used all the time - rain or shine.
Water consuming technology
While solar energy is one of Singapore's most viable sources of renewable energy, the country faces the constraints of limited space and overcast skies caused by its tropical climate. This innovative facility will not only help boost efficiency and yield but also ensure that the space is well used all the time - rain or shine.
Water consuming technology
Almost 20 gallons per megawatt-hour of water are used by solar power technologies for cleaning solar collection and reflection surfaces. Solar panels need to be cleaned regularly as soiling affects their performance. The modern rainwater harvesting system in this facility uses technology-driven infrastructure to collect rainwater equivalent to the amount required to fill 68 Olympic-size swimming pools.
While the rainwater harvesting system is currently being piloted to cool and clean 18 panels - cooling them from 80 deg C to 40 deg C - it is expected to be expanded to other solar panel sites.
Singapore's solar energy program which was launched in 2018 utilizes the installation of solar panels on vacant land and provides solar energy. The farm is also the first solar farm mounted from the ground in Singapore.