The government is spending S$68 million as the Clean Energy Programme Office (CEPO) announced the award of 5 private sector projects under the S$20 million Solar Capability Scheme (SCS) today. Another S$17 million was also announced for the second wave of public sector projects.

EDB Press Release | 21 May 09
Channel News Asia | 21 May 09 (with video)
The Straits Times | 21 May 09

Applied Materials plans to produce solar factory equipment that could make thin-film panels at a cost of under $1 per watt next year with an efficiency of 10%. Lab results have shown that the company is on track to reach 9% efficiency this year and 10% in 2010. Read more here.

Built at a cost of S$10.5 million, the Al-Mawaddah mosque in Sengkang has solar tubes that allows natural light into the building which cuts down the need for electric lamps. Read more here.

Photo credit: Bosch Singapore

The new Bosch building has earned the highest green building award, the Platinum Green Mark award by the Building and Construction Authority. This 223,000 sqft building will boasts an array of solar panels and automated venetian blinds that block out the sun's rays to improve the building's energy efficiency. Bosch will collaborate with the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) on Organic Photovoltaics (OPV) projects to decrease the cost, and establish long-term partnerships with leading R&D institutions.

Sources:
The Straits Times | 13 May 2009
Bosch Press Release | 03 Sep 2008
EDB Press Release | 12 Dec 2007
Bosch Press Release | 12 Dec 2007

 
Photo credit: Emerging Energy Research

The global concentrated solar power (CSP) industry is scaling rapidly with 1.2GW under construction and another 13.9GW announced globally through 2014. Led by Spain with 22 projects for 1,037MW under construction, and potential in the U.S. entering a new growth phase, these 2 countries will continue to lead in CSP development due to a combination of resource and policy support, according to Emerging Energy Research. This is certainly great news for the solar industry! More info can be found in the EER report.

 
Photo credit: NTU

Three Institute of Higher Learnings (IHLs) from NTU, NUS & ITE College West geared Singapore's flag in the annual Shell Eco-marathon held in eastern Germany. The NTU team did the country proud by achieving an equivalent mileage of 806km per litre of fuel in their inaugural participation! Their 3.5m x 1.3m car was powered by a 5 sqm solar cell, and won 2nd in the safety category. Read more about it here and photos.