The panels are expected to help Go-Ahead Singapore save 1,400 litres of diesel per bus per year. (Photo: straitstimes.com) Singapore (VNA) - Public busesfitted with ultra-thin solar panels started plying Singaporean roads on March30 in a six-month proof-of-concept trial by bus operator Go-Ahead Singapore.
The panels, which are 1.6 mm thick, flexible and shatterproof, were installedon the roof of two Man A22 Euro 6 diesel-powered buses. The buses are operatedon service 15, which starts and ends at Pasir Ris Bus Interchange, in a trialthat runs until September.
Weighing less than 20kg, the solar panels will supply1,000 watts of power. This will be used to charge the battery on the buses,which would otherwise have to rely on the vehicle's alternator. This will inturn reduce the load on the engine.
Thebus battery is typically used for ignition and to power components like lightsand security cameras when the engine is turned off.
The panels are expected to help Go-Ahead Singapore save 1,400 litres of dieselper bus per year. This is about 3 to 4 percent of the fuel that is typicallyconsumed by such diesel buses, and translates to a reduction of 3.7 tonnes ofcarbon emissions per bus per year.
Thesix-month trial aims to evaluate how effective the panels are in harnessingsolar energy here and to ensure the panels can withstand the highertemperatures and daily washing of the buses.
Thesolar panel efficiency is expected to be higher in tropical Singapore, saidGo-Ahead Singapore managing director Andrew Thompson.
Go-AheadSingapore said the two buses with solar panels underwent rigorous safetyassessments by the Land Transport Authority and are approved for public roadtrials.
Thepanels, which are at least three times thinner than some conventional solarpanels, will be inspected weekly in the first two months. The operator willthen do a review to determine the appropriate examination schedule./.
