They might look like futuristic murals on HDB walls, but if you’re in Jurong East, take a closer look—those sleek metallic panels are actually vertical solar panels. Installed on the outer walls of selected HDB blocks in the area, they are part of HDB’s pilot to expand solar energy capture in public housing.
HDB blocks with vertical solar panels
Vertical solar panels have been installed on the exterior walls of 8 selected HDB blocks in Jurong East, as part of HDB’s pilot to test how these panels can increase solar energy capture and boost electricity generation.
The energy generated from these panels is used to power common areas such as lifts, staircase lights, and water pumps. The trial is expected to be completed this year and if successful, HDB will consider extending this initiative to more estates across Singapore.
Image credit: u/bardsmanship on Reddit
The panels were installed from April 2023 to March 2024, across 8 HDB blocks on Jurong East Street 21, including Blocks 219A, 220, and 221. 6 of these blocks are 25 storeys tall, while 2 are only 4 storeys tall—possibly to test the panels’ effectiveness across blocks of different heights.
The number of panels varies across the blocks, and they are laid out to follow the sun’s natural path for maximum exposure. For example, solar panels are installed from the 7th to 13th floors for one block, while they are installed from the 10th to 22nd floors for another block.
Image credit: Jurong-Clementi Town Council
The blocks are part of Yuhua Estate, which is no stranger to HDB’s sustainable development pilots. The estate was previously transformed into a “Green Neighbourhood” as a pilot under the HDB Greenprint project from 2012 to 2015, with more eco-friendly features such as energy-efficient lighting and rooftop solar panels.
Maximising vertical surfaces
Image credit: Toh Wee Khiang on LinkedIn
Solar panels are typically installed horizontally on HDB rooftops, facing upwards to absorb as much sunlight as possible. However, suitable rooftop space can be limited, especially with important structures like water tanks taking up space. With their large surface area, vertical walls are an untapped opportunity for solar panel placement—ideal for HDB to explore new ways of boosting sustainable energy generation.
One challenge of using vertical solar panels is that they receive less sunlight compared to those on the rooftop, as the sun shines mostly overhead in Singapore. These exterior walls are still useful for maximising solar energy collection, with their much larger exposed surface area for installing solar panels. With more energy collected, more electricity can be generated for the block’s common areas, contributing to a more sustainable energy supply for the estate.
Vertical solar panel trial in Jurong East
Although this is still a trial in Jurong East, vertical solar panels are already installed in newer BTO projects like Tengah. They are integrated into the building facades to free up limited rooftop space for water tanks and centralised cooling system chillers.
By tapping into existing surfaces, the trial highlights how we can creatively adapt Singapore’s limited land space to maximise sustainable energy generation.
For more unique HDB features:
- HDB flats with 360-degree view bubble lifts
- Ultra-rare HDB block in Bedok with only 2 units
- Tampines HDBs with lifts that act as passageways
Cover image adapted from: Toh Wee Khiang on LinkedIn, u/bardsmanship on Reddit
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