HDB Singapore Launches Fifth SolarNova Tender

• Singapore's HDB has launched the fifth tender under SolarNova program offering 60 MW capacity
• This capacity will need to be deployed for 1,154 HDB blocks and 46 government sites by Q1/2023
• The agency has also revised its solar power target from 220 MW to 540 MW to be achieved by 2030

The Housing and Development Board (HDB) of Singapore has launched its fifth installment of the SolarNova tenders seeking to establish 60 MW capacity to be set up across 1,154 HDB blocks and 46 government sites. The agency has been jointly conducting tender proceedings under the SolarNova Program in collaboration with the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).

The fifth tender involves the participation of six agencies including Land Transport Authority (LTA) and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), both first time participants in the program. Awarded capacity needs to come online by Q1/2023. 

Last date to submit bids is March 2, 2020 and is expected to be awarded in Q3/2020. The list of government organizations and sites covered under the tender is available on the HDB website. 

Under the SolarNova program, which has contracted the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) as technical consultant, the government encourages solar panel installations atop government buildings with an aim to help the participating entities reduce their grid power usage at a lower cost. The selected solar developer is tasked with installing and maintaining the system over its lifetime. It recovers cost incurred by selling the electricity generated to the building.

By December 2019, solar panels have been installed on about 2,060 HDB blocks; deployments for another 2,500 were either in progress or will commence soon, the agency informed. 

Having surpassed its previous solar power target of 220 MW, HDB has upped the goal now to 540 MW to be achieved by 2030 in line with the national target of 2 GW. It could generate 648 GWh clean energy annually, according to estimates shared. In October 2019, HDB & EDB awarded 70 MW in the fourth SolarNova tender to Shell backed Sunseap that will install bifacial solar panels (see Sunseap Bags 70 MW Rooftop Solar Contract In Singapore).