Singapore has embarked on an ambitious solar power project spanning three countries. The aim is to test the power generation of solar panels in Singapore's tropical climate, in a temperate zone in Japan and under Australian desert conditions. Led by the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (Seris) at the
Singapore has embarked on an ambitious solar power project spanning three countries.
The aim is to test the power generation of solar panels in Singapore's tropical climate, in a temperate zone in Japan and under Australian desert conditions.
Led by the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (Seris) at the National University of Singapore, the project, which will take place in each of the countries simultaneously, will last until 2016 at least.
The findings will help researchers develop better models to predict the output of solar panels in different conditions such as varying temperatures and amount of sunlight.
In the past, solar panels had been mostly installed in moderate climates. That meant that standards to measure output and quality were also developed in those climates.
Seris is partnering the Australian National University, the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology in Japan, solar module manufacturers, certifying bodies and other organisations for its project, called TruePower Alliance.
The first outdoor tests are expected to start early 2014.
The project is funded by the Energy Innovation Research Program. The researchers were among five teams that won $12 million in grants in total from the Government earlier this year in a grant call for energy innovations.