Singapore’s energy expert explains solar panels

If solar is cheaper, why isn't adoption of it so high?

He believes that there is a lack of awareness and misconceptions about how the product works.

Chew believes that installing solar is worth the effort, time and cost.

If you talk about greening the grid for Singapore, solar is probably the best option out there. Chew outlined some basic tips for installing solar panels on roofs:

The number of panels on their roof, their energy consumption patterns and their electricity bill are three factors that determine the break-even for a homeowner. After comparing monthly utility savings and the total cost of installation for more than 500 homes, Chew estimates that the average homeowner breaks even at the end of seven years.

In Singapore, the angle of your solar panels does not change the solar irradiance output of light energy from the entire disk of the sun, as measured from earth Instead, the flatter your panels are, the more sunlight it captures, said Chew.

Solar panels are connected to a string, known as solar panel arrays, to generate electricity as a system. If just one panel is shaded by a tree, it can reduce the amount of electricity generated by other connected panels.

For homeowners with older roofs, particularly tile roofs that may be brittle, it may be worth it to do waterproofing at the same time, said Chew, adding that metal or concrete roofs are non-penetrating in terms of installation, so they are really fuss free.