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Providing an environmentally friendlier alternative to power generation fired by coal or natural gas, home-grown Sun Electric kicked-off its first live distribution of solar power today (Feb 29) to local businesses. The solar power is distributed through Singapore’s power grid and supplied by solar energy generators installed in collaboration with JTC Corporation (JTC) and SPRING Singapore.
The first solar energy company to obtain an electricity retail license in Singapore – Sun Electric also launched an array of clean energy products under SolarSpaceTM, a platform that enables consumers in cities to buy solar energy even if they do not have a roof of their own to install solar panels.
“Our programme was developed to change the way cities obtain energy, and to allow cities to harness clean energy that can be obtained from their environment. Smaller consumers of energy such as SMEs can now do their part for the environment and sustainability by adopting clean energy,” Dr Matthew Peloso, CEO of Sun Electric said at a press conference attended by Mr Loh Khum Yean, Chairman of the Energy Market Authority (EMA).
The programme, Dr Peloso said, allows rooftop owners to capture sunlight striking their roofs, and sell it to energy consumers in their city. Rooftop owners can install solar panels and generate energy while tracking their contributions to their city in real-time, and customers who buy the energy can monitor their usage easily on Sun Electric’s platform. This means that a city can now blend in solar energy as a component of its power supply with various consumers, the company said in a media release.
Previously, only building owners who bought energy themselves could use solar power. Now, building owners can install solar energy generators on those rooftops while energy consumers who do not own rooftops can buy clean energy from them. “This system harnesses the power and connection of people who can put this city on a sustainable footing. This system requires no subsidies, and allows any competitive and open energy market to adopt solar energy,” Dr Peloso noted.
Dr Peloso also announced the launch of Sun Electric in the USA, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines with “strategic partners abroad”.
“By the second half of 2018 we aim open the electricity retail market to full retail competition. This will empower the remaining 1.3 million small consumers, mainly households , with more option on how to better meet their electricity needs,” Mr Loh Khum Yean, Chairman of the Energy Market Authority (EMA).
Market interest in clean energy, Mr Loh said, has been growing significantly in Singapore where the total installed solar PV capacity has increased from 1.5 megawatt in 2009 to 43.8 megawatt by end 2015, enough to power around 14000 four-roomflats a year. “We expect the strong growth of solar to continue as technology improves and cost goes down… The demand for Cleantech solutions is growing both locally and overseas. This presents business growth opportunities not just for established companies but also for SMEs,” Mr Loh added.
The company said, its portfolio of products including – SolarFlexTM, SolarLiteTM, SolarPeakTM and Solar100TM offer tailored electricity packages according to the percentage of clean energy required by individual consumers.
Seven local companies including The Chope Group, Sky Tower on Sentosa, Pilatique, Seagift, Lotto Carpets Gallery, Absolute Living, and Duta Holdings, are the first set of clients receiving electricity from the solar energy generators installed on JTC rooftops in Tuas South under the test-bedding programme.
