According to Kok (2021) in the article “Go-Ahead Singapore rolls out 6-month trial of public buses with solar panels”, a trial on 2 buses that had 1.6mm thick, pliable, and toughened solar panels fitted on their rooftops was carried out. These panels that weigh less than 20kg are expected to save 1400 liters of diesel annually. This amounts to around 3-4% of the usual fuel consumption which translates to carbon emissions being reduced by 3.7 tonnes per individual bus. The panels used to charge the battery on the buses will take the load off the vehicle’s alternator, thus reducing strain on the engine. The trial aims to assess the performance of the solar panels as well as appraise their efficiency and tolerance.
Kok also says Singapore’s sunny climate makes the usage of solar panels more viable. Managing director of Go-Ahead Singapore hopes to install them on more buses as it is a more environmentally-friendly way to increase the efficiency of diesel buses. The panels are ultra-thin and more lightweight as they are 3 times thinner than traditional solar panels. The panels have gone through meticulous safety assessments and weekly inspections in the first 2 months. According to Kok, Go-Ahead Singapore estimated that within 4 years, it will recover its initial costs from the savings made from reducing fuel consumption.
Therefore, the installation of solar panels on public buses is a beneficial decision made by Go-Ahead Singapore as solar panels help to reduce bus fuel consumption, in turn, help to save fuel costs and reduce carbon emission.
The first reason to why it is a beneficial decision is that solar panels help to reduce bus fuel consumption. Solar panels convert sunlight into electric energy which will be used to charge the buses’ batteries. When a bus runs its motor on batteries charged with solar energy it decreases the buses’ diesel usage. With Singapore’s tropical climate, the solar panels will be used to their utmost potential. In the article “Solar panels for coach and bus: what are the benefits?“, Deakin(2020) stated that the coaches with solar panels installed are expected to save up to 1500 liters per coach yearly. This shows that a reduction in bus fuel consumption truly exists.
The second reason for it being a beneficial decision is that solar panels help to save the cost of fuel consumption. Solar panels reduce the use of diesel on each bus, making buses rely less on diesel which supplies energy to power the bus. This greatly decreases the amount of money spent on diesel. This reasoning was further proven in the article “Solar panels for coach and bus: what are the benefits?“, Deakin(2020). Deakin mentioned that the solar panels installed on the bus cut down fuel consumption by 7% per coach annually.
The last reason for it being a beneficial decision is that solar panels help to reduce carbon emissions. The reduction of diesel consumption is interconnected to the reduction of carbon emission. Diesel engines emit pollutants such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen. From which carbon dioxide is carbon emission. With the installation of solar panels, buses will emit less carbon as it is less reliant on diesel to operate their batteries. Statically, it is proven in the article “ S’pore Buses With Solar Panels Debut On 30 Mar, Paving The Way For Greener Public Transport”, Seng (2021) stated that bus company Go-Ahead Singapore is expected to save 1400 liters of diesel with the use of solar panels which equivalents to a reduction of 3.7 tonnes of carbon emissions per bus yearly.
However, solar panels are limited to working on sunny days only; it will not work if it is a rainy day or when there is no sunlight. The cost of a custom-made high-quality solar panel is very expensive, not all bus operators could afford to fit one on their bus.
In conclusion, solar panels only work on days where there is sunlight and the cost of solar panels will be a worrying factor for some bus operating companies. However, solar panels being installed on buses help to save fuel consumption which results in saving fuel costs and reducing carbon emission.
Reference:
https://www.route-one.net/environment/solar-panels-for-coach-and-bus-what-are-the-benefits/
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/first-public-buses-with-solar-panels-hit-
the-road-in-six-month-trial-by-go-ahead
https://goexplorer.org/buses-go-truly-zero-emission-with-solar-power/
https://mustsharenews.com/buses-solar-panels/
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