Singapore has begun installing solar panels at its airport, making it the country’s largest single-site rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system.
The facility, due to be completed in early 2025, will have a total capacity of 43 megawatts peak (MWp), of which 38MWp will be generated from rooftop panels, Changi Airport Group (CAG) said. These panels consist of the terminal building, terminal auxiliary structures, airfield, and cargo building areas.
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The remaining 5MWp of solar power capacity will be provided by a system installed within the airport’s airfield, which covers 40,000 square meters outside the aircraft operating area. CAG said this is the first time a solar power system has been deployed at Changi Airport, indicating the potential for such systems to be built beyond traditional rooftop spaces.
“Deploying solar PV systems at airports presents a unique set of challenges compared to traditional installations in commercial, industrial, or residential areas,” the report said. For example, robust simulations needed to be conducted to ensure that solar panels would not cause glare or glare effects on air traffic controllers and pilots, or interfere with communications, navigation, surveillance, or weather signals.
CAG added that the required installation and maintenance processes must comply with aviation safety and security requirements, including fire safety code mandates from the Singapore Civil Defense Force.
Together, the rooftop and airfield sites are expected to generate enough solar energy to power more than 10,000 four-room social housing units a year. This will reduce the airport group’s carbon dioxide emissions by around 20,000 tonnes each year, equivalent to 10% of its 2019 consumption.
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CAG signs a 25-year agreement with Keppel to design, develop, own and operate the solar power system, which will be integrated with Keppel’s Operations Nerve Center in the Keppel Infrastructure @ Changi building. It turns out. The center also provides remote monitoring and real-time reporting of solar power metrics, as well as fault detection and diagnostics for predictive maintenance.
CAG said the Keppel Center uses artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to run models that generate predictions and energy management designed to optimize performance and operations.
CAG’s executive vice president of engineering development, Ko Min Su, said efforts to make Changi a more sustainable aviation hub include upgrading frontline airport buildings and systems to energy-efficient models; He said this includes a transition to clean energy vehicles.
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Mr Koh pointed out that another partner, Solargy, was appointed to install a 640kWp rooftop solar power system and transition CAG’s airport maintenance and storage center to a more environmentally friendly facility. This is expected to cut the site’s emissions in half.
Changi Airport connects Singapore to approximately 150 destinations around the world, with approximately 100 airlines operating more than 6,400 flights each week. Jewel Changi Airport also includes more than 600 dining and retail outlets.
A floating solar power plant spread over 45 hectares and comprising 122,000 panels was commissioned in 2021 on Singapore’s Tenge Reservoir, with an output of 60 MWp. The solar farm will generate enough energy to power five local water treatment plants, offset 7% of national water authority PUB’s energy needs and reduce carbon emissions annually. It is estimated that the reduction will be 32,000 tons.