The Housing & Development Board (HDB) has launched the eighth solar leasing tender under the SolarNova programme. The largest tender to date, this tender covers the installation of solar panels across 1,075 HDB blocks and 104 government sites (Annex A), with a solar capacity of 113 megawatt-peak (MWp). Installation of the solar panels is expected to complete by 3Q2026.

2 Jointly led by HDB and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), the SolarNova programme aggregates public sector demand for the installation of solar panels across HDB blocks and government sites, thus helping to accelerate the deployment of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in Singapore and drive the growth of Singapore’s solar industry.

3 The eighth SolarNova tender involves the participation of 10 agencies, namely the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Home Affairs, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, Singapore Customs, HDB, National Environment Agency, and People’s Association.

Installation of Solar Panels on HDB Blocks

4 HDB is the largest driver for the installation of solar PV systems in Singapore today. In HDB estates, solar energy that is harnessed is first used to power common services, such as lifts, lights, and water pumps in HDB estates in the day. Excess solar energy is channelled to the grid. On average, we have been able to achieve net-zero energy consumption for the common areas of HDB blocks where solar panels have been installed.

5 In 2019, HDB announced a new solar target of 540 MWp by 2030, after having achieved its earlier solar target of 220 MWp. Including this eighth SolarNova tender, and solar efforts prior to the SolarNova programme, HDB has committed a total solar capacity of 440 MWp. This is more than 80% of our solar target and is equivalent to powering 110,000 4-room flats.

6 HDB aims to install solar panels on as many blocks as possible. To date, about 3,300 HDB blocks have been installed with solar panels. Solar panels for the remaining HDB blocks, where feasible, will progressively be installed in batches over the next three years.

Creating Sustainable Towns: Updates on HDB Green Towns Programme

7 The solar initiatives are an integral part of the HDB Green Towns Programme, which aims to make HDB towns more sustainable and liveable. Launched in 2020, the HDB Green Towns Programme focuses on five areas of sustainability and liveability, i.e. reducing energy consumption, recycling rainwater, cooling HDB towns, promoting green commute, and reducing waste.

8 To further reduce energy consumption in HDB estates, HDB will be implementing a new initiative – the Elevator Energy Regeneration System (EERS) – under the Green Towns Programme. To be installed in existing HDB lifts where feasible, the EERS recovers energy generated during lift motions and braking operations, to power other services within the lift such as lighting, ventilation, and the lift display panel. With the EERS, lift energy consumption can be reduced by an average of 20%. Retrofitting works are expected to start in 2024.

How the Elevator Energy Regeneration System works

9 HDB has also continued to make progress for other initiatives under the Green Towns Programme. In the last three years, we have:

Installed more than 13,000 Dual Bicycle Racks across 14 HDB towns. By 2025, up to 40,000 Dual Bicycle Racks will be installed island-wide;

Installed about 390 Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers at 130 carparks, with plans to bring the number of HDB carparks with EV chargers to approximately 2,000 by 2025;
Piloted cool coatings for approximately 130 blocks at Tampines Town. Of these, 9 blocks have been completed, while application of the cool coatings is ongoing for another 63 blocks. Works on all 130 blocks are expected to complete by end 2024; and

Commenced pilot implementation of the UrbanWater Harvesting System at 89 blocks across Yishun and Jurong.

10 We will continue to leverage new technologies and smart solutions to improve residents’ quality of life, and support the national goal of achieving a green and sustainable Singapore.

HDB Launches Largest Solar Leasing Tender Under SolarNova Programme