JTC has launched a tender for the installation of Singapore’s first overhang solar PV system at 15 Woodlands Loop to increase solar energy production. This innovative pilot project — designed in collaboration with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and the Energy Market Authority (EMA) — aims to maximize clean energy output by utilizing underused space between industrial buildings, addressing the limitations of traditional rooftop solar installations.
Overhang Solar PV System and the Singapore solar PV tender
JTC has announced the tender for Singapore’s first overhang solar PV system at 15 Woodlands Loop to enhance solar energy production. This innovative system — developed in collaboration with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and the Energy Market Authority (EMA) — is designed to maximize clean energy output by transforming the 4,300 square meters of space between multi-storey industrial buildings into a power-generating asset.
The overhang solar PV system features a large, cantilevered design that extends across the space between buildings, allowing for more photovoltaic (PV) panels to be installed compared to standard rooftop systems. To grasp the technology involved, it’s helpful to understand the basics of solar panel manufacturing. This unique design significantly increases the available surface area for solar panels, thereby generating more clean energy from the same footprint.
The design also includes a lightweight composite structure that minimises the load on existing buildings. This approach reduces the reliance on certain metal solar panel raw materials, thus lowering the carbon footprint of the installation. Critically, the structure is engineered to withstand strong winds, ensuring long-term stability and safety.
Maximising Solar Potential with the Singapore solar PV tender
The overhang solar PV system is part of JTC’s broader strategy to optimise solar deployment across its properties, building on previous initiatives like the SolarRoof (2017) and SolarLand (2018) programs. By adapting green building technologies to meet the specific needs of different sites, JTC aims to maximise solar energy potential. The overhang design is particularly suited for industrial estates with limited roof space or where traditional installations are not feasible.
The pilot project at Woodlands Loop targets a minimum capacity of 250 kilowatt-peak (kWp). It is expected to generate 900 megawatt-hours (MWh) of clean energy annually, which is enough to power around 200 four-room HDB flats. The generated electricity will be exported to the national grid for 10 years post-commissioning.
JTC’s chief sustainability officer, Finn Tay, stated: “Solar energy remains a key renewable energy source for powering our estates, and we are pushing ourselves to look beyond conventional rooftops and ground-mounted systems. This pilot is one example of how we are rethinking underused spaces to unlock new solar potential and support Singapore’s long-term energy goals.”
Supporting Singapore’s Green Plan through the Singapore solar PV tender
The overhang solar PV system directly supports Singapore’s Green Plan 2030, which aims to increase solar energy production to at least 2 gigawatt-peak (GWp) by 2030. JTC’s initiative aligns with this goal by expanding the use of solar energy in industrial and commercial zones. The collaboration between JTC, BCA, and EMA demonstrates a firm commitment to innovation and sustainability.
Thanks to such concerted efforts, Singapore has already deployed over 1,775 megawatt-peak (MWp) of PV systems nationwide, bringing the 2 GWp target—enough to power about 350,000 households’ annual electricity needs—well within reach.
The success of this project could pave the way for similar installations across Singapore, further boosting the country’s renewable energy capacity and driving innovation in the solar panel manufacturing process to suit unique urban environments. The tender for this project was launched on December 17, 2023, and interested parties can find more information on the GeBIZ platform.
Innovations like the overhang PV system demonstrate how creative engineering can unlock new potential for renewable energy in dense urban landscapes. If you’re inspired to learn more about the technology that powers our green future, explore our free e-course on solar panel manufacturing.
