Daily life is now laced with a palpable sense of fear for the planet’s future. This sense remains relatively new. Just a few years back, the climate crisis sat on the periphery of mainstream media. True, you would have been hard-pushed to find someone who was not at the very least somewhat aware of the topics of global warming, pollution, carbon footprints and their risks – but, these days, the subject is largely unavoidable. It dominates headlines even when the world is in the grips of another crisis – although, admittedly, these crises often share their own links with global warming.
From natural disasters – flooding, snowstorms, and hurricanes – to the biggest headliner in recent history – the Coronavirus – all roads lead back to human life, and its untenable ways.
There is, unfortunately, very little that the average individual can do. Governments, corporations and businesses are feeling pressurised to put forth solutions – but, as is growing increasingly obvious, so much is swayed by the drive toward profit, market dominance, and a willingness to sacrifice long-term successes for short-term gains.
As such, many of the solutions that are being put forth are not as they appear to be. They offer false promises and reassurances in place of progress, and need to be hindered wherever possible.
Carbon Credits
For businesses, the solution to the spiralling climate crisis is relatively simple: reduce carbon emissions wherever possible, and invest more into restorative technologies and projects like soil regeneration, tree planting, and renewable energies.
Of course, the reality is trickier than that – companies still need to turn a profit in order to survive, after all, and allocating time and resources without harming the bottom line is a tricky balancing act.
It’s no surprise, then, that some companies are looking to the simpler alternative – the path of least resistance, that enables them to continue on without disruption while still being able to demonstrate a stronger sense of social responsibility without flat-out lying to customers.
In this instance, the ‘path of least resistance’ appears in the form of carbon credits. Rather than actively reducing their own carbon emissions, companies can ‘buy’ a permit for carbon production in the form of credits. These credits will ideally decrease over time, meaning companies need to work gradually toward lower emissions.
Bioplastics
The benefits of recycling – of reducing the daily influx of non-compostable and, at times, toxic waste making its way into the world’s oceans – need no introduction, and plenty of initiatives have been undertaken to minimise an individual’s impact on the environment.
However, this area is not without its false promises. The term ‘bioplastics’ itself is a vague term with no specific definition. It’s akin to those common marketing buzzwords – ‘natural’, ‘environmentally friendly’, and ‘conscious’.
But numerous studies have discovered toxic chemicals in a long list of bioplastics. What’s more, a single ‘bioplastic’ single-use cup, for instance, is likely to have a significant carbon footprint. Creating bioplastic is an energy- and resource-intensive process – one that may, by some estimates, be doing more harm than the production of standard, single-use plastics.
Carbon Capture, Use, and Storage (CCUS)
This is, perhaps, one of the most noteworthy examples we have of the energy sector seeking to profit off of their own carbon footprint.
Put simply, it is the practice of using captured carbon (carbon emitted by the industry’s oil giants, during extraction) to aid in enhanced oil recovery – a practice that requires large amounts of CO2 to be pumped into near-depleted oil wells, in order for further oil to be extracted.
This was not how it was presented to the public, however. Oil companies merely stated that, with public funding, they would work to capture their own CO2 emissions and prevent them from leaking out into the atmosphere and contributing to global warming.
The practice was first introduced in the 1970s, but remains a significant problem today – and offers all the proof we need of the industry’s interest (or lack thereof) in protecting the planet from its own damaging practices.
Greenwashing
This is a topic we covered recently, and has one of the most direct impacts on consumers looking to do their bit for environmental reform. Companies looking to take advantage of the large (and growing) demographic of consumers who want to make more ethical, eco-conscious choices – and who are willing to invest more in order to make those choices – are taking advantage of a wide range of vague terms, marketing ploys, and rebrands that hint toward a heightened sense of social responsibility, without the legwork or investment.
Fracking
Fracking has seen its fair share of the spotlight in recent years. It is the practice of capturing natural gas buried deep underground by means of highly pressurised ‘injections’ of liquid.
If that sounds like a risky endeavour, you’d be right. Nonetheless, fracking has made a considerable mark on the landscape in recent years – and the government has remained relatively taciturn on the risks voiced by many groups and individuals. Tens of thousands of wells have been erected in the UK alone in a bid to collect useful natural gases like methane.
The proposed benefits are cheaper gas and better employment opportunities.
But fracking can easily pollute water supplies, and its ability to ‘unlock’ massive amounts of cheap, natural gas threatens to derail the shift toward renewable technologies. It means that the focus remains on fossil fuels, and depleting natural resources of potential pollutants, rather than investing those millions into increasing the UK’s capacity for sustainable energy production.
Given the fact that technologies like solar PV are far less impactful on the environment and work by harvesting a free, infinitely available, and non-toxic source of energy, it is baffling to an outsider why the government would so doggedly pursue fracking over its healthy alternatives.
How Do We Spot False Solutions?
False solutions come in many forms, as evidence by the different projects and technologies listed above. False solutions often seem too good to be true – but that doesn’t prove a useful yardstick when plenty of genuinely useful solutions are also able to make big promises.
False solutions so often come in the form of ‘alternative alternatives’. By now, we all know the cornerstones of a green recovery. Renewable energy derived from solar, wind, wave, and biothermal technologies need to replace our dependence on fossil fuels. Resources derived closer to home must be used more wherever possible. Single-use must be avoided as much as is realistic. Nature must be supported in healing.
So many of the false solutions seem to have been dreamed-up in an attempt to avoid these simple solutions. The government, in their move toward nuclear energy, have failed to put forth a compelling argument as to why it is superior to the many truly sustainable alternatives.
They also depend upon terms that have no clear meaning. ‘Net zero’ carbon emissions is not the same as ‘zero’ carbon emissions, for instance – but, to the layperson, what does it mean? Bioplastics is a portmanteau that makes use of a popular buzzword in (supposedly) green circles.
There will always be ways of cutting to the core of supposed solutions to the climate crisis – but, for that, we need to remain open-minded to counter-arguments, and focused intently on the technologies and solutions that, by now, we all definitively know to work.
Solar Ground Mounting System
Singapore, which sits on the equator, is now one of the most solar-dense cities in the world.
In the past 10 years, Singapore has increased its local solar power generation by 100 times, from about 60 megawatts to more than 630 megawatts (megawatt-peak, MWp for short).
It is expected that by 2030, it will be further increased to at least 2 GWp, which is equivalent to providing electricity to about 350,000 households every year, and can meet 3% of local electricity consumption.
So, where are these large-scale solar photovoltaic panels hidden?
HDB roof
The most common thing ant powder sees is the solar panels on the roofs of HDB flats.(roof solar mounting system)
The HDB set a goal in 2019 to increase the installed capacity of solar panels in HDB housing to 540 MWp by 2030 at the latest, that is, to generate 648 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of clean energy per year, equivalent to 130,000 5,000 four-room HDB flats will be powered.
According to the SolarNova plan, the energy collected by solar panels can be used to power HDB elevators, water pumps and public space lighting, and the excess energy can be fed back to the grid, so that the average net energy consumption in HDB public areas is zero.
The Housing and Development Board has so far committed to provide 380 megawatts of solar capacity for 8,400 HDB flats, and 2,700 of them have been installed.
Cistern surface
Solar photovoltaic panels can also be installed on the water
The Sembcorp Tengeh Floating Solar Farm (Sembcorp Tengeh Floating Solar Farm) covers an area of 45 hectares at the Tengeh Reservoir and is one of the largest inland floating solar photovoltaic systems in the world.
The new power plant was built by Sembcorp Solar Singapore, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sembcorp Industries, and the Public Utilities Board (PUB). Kilotons (equivalent to 7,000 cars) of carbon emissions.
Cash machine "roof"
The small cash machine "roof" can also "call".
On March 26 this year, in conjunction with the "Earth Hour" event, DBS Bank (DBS) and Savings Bank (POSB) launched the first solar-powered ATM.
The ATM is located next to Block 528, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, and has been in service since the 1990s.
DBS Bank said that 30% of the ATM's annual electricity consumption will be powered by solar panels installed on the roof. The public can see the solar power generated in real time through the dashboard of the ATM.
Bus roof
The bus operator Go Ahead Singapore installed two ultra-thin solar panels on the roof of two diesel-powered buses in March last year, and carried passengers on the road for six months.
Go Ahead is working with the Land Transport Authority to evaluate the results of the trial to explore the use of solar energy to improve bus efficiency and reduce diesel consumption, and whether to install such solar panels on other buses.
Each solar panel can generate up to 500 watts of energy.
The company has conducted the same test in Southampton (Southhampton, UK), and each bus can save an average of about 1,400 liters of diesel per year, which is equivalent to saving about 3% to 4% of diesel and reducing about 3.7 tons of carbon dioxide. emissions.
Due to Singapore's tropical climate, solar-powered buses are believed to have better results locally.
Vacant Industrial Site
In addition, Jurong Group also launched the solar roof and solar land plan, making good use of its 14,000 commercial building roofs and vacant industrial land with a total area of more than 560,000 square meters across the island, with an installed capacity of more than 67 megapeaks tile solar panels. The electricity it produces can be traded on the open energy market.
Unlike traditional fixed designs, these solar photovoltaic panels use photovoltaic panels that are installed and easily removed. Once the vacant land is acquired for development, the panels can be dismantled and shipped to other locations for reinstallation.
For example, Jurong Group has installed portable solar panels on a total area of 11.6 hectares of land and roads in Changi Business Park, which can generate 14.9 gigawatt hours of renewable energy per year, equivalent to 3,365 four-room HDB units for a year. energy used.
Commercial building roof
The Ocean Financial Center in the city center has 450 square meters of solar panels on its roof, which can supply 3 to 5% of the electricity for the entire building. This is one of the largest solar panels in a local office building.
Last month, real estate consultancy firm ERA opened its Asia-Pacific headquarters building at Toa Payoh Soi 6.
It was formerly known as Hersing Centre, formerly known as Toa Payoh Entertainment Centre. In order to create a sustainable low-carbon environment, 278 solar panels are installed on the roof of the building to supply 30% of the building's electricity
Petrol station roof
To reduce its carbon footprint, Shell is the first energy company in Singapore to install solar photovoltaic panels at its service stations. The solar energy generated will be used to power gas stations and convenience stores, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about a third.
Thirty-seven of Shell's 57 service stations have installed solar photovoltaic panels.
Tourist attractions
In Gardens by the Bay, seven of the Supertrees (Supertrees) are topped with solar panels containing photovoltaic cells. Store electricity during the day, and light up tree lights and play music at night to save energy.
The electricity collected by the seven big trees can fully cope with the electricity required by all the big trees when they operate at night.
In addition, Far East Organization's children's playground and its headquarters in Gardens by the Bay are also equipped with 240 solar panels.
The Singapore Knowledge Center has also installed solar panels on the lake, roof and covered walkways, enough to meet nearly half of the electricity consumption of the Knowledge Center.
Private house
A spokesman for the Energy Market Authority said in response to inquiries from the Lianhe Zaobao that from 2015 to 2021, the number of private homes installed with solar panels has more than quadrupled, from 340 to 1,740 last year.
Xu Xiaolong, founder and president of financial technology company M-DAQ, is also an advocate of sustainable development.
When he moved into his semi-detached house in MacPherson in 2013, he installed solar panels on the roof. On sunny days, 100 kWh of electricity can be converted a day, which is enough to support the electricity consumption of the house, and the remaining electricity is sold back to the electricity supplier.
Migrant worker dormitory
Most of the roofs of ASPRI-Westlite Papan are equipped with solar panels, which can help reduce the carbon footprint of the dormitory by one third.
School
Oasis Primary School installed 1137 solar panels generating 613.89 kWh of electricity.
Solar photovoltaic systems have grown in popularity over the past few years, thanks to advances in technology and shifting attitudes towards renewable energy sources. The installation and maintenance of these systems have proven to be a cost-effective and sustainable energy solution, making them the preferred option for many households and businesses.
One of the essential components of a solar photovoltaic system is the support system, which is responsible for holding the solar panels in place. In recent years, there have been significant advancements in solar photovoltaic mounting systems, which have led to more efficient and durable structures.
Top Trends in Solar Photovoltaic Supports
1. Lightweight Materials: With the need for durability and resistance to harsh weather conditions, lightweight materials like aluminum and composite materials have become the preferred choice for solar photovoltaic supports. These materials reduce the overall weight of the structure while increasing its durability, making them the ideal option for rooftop and ground-mounted installations.
2. Adjustable Support Systems: Most solar photovoltaic systems require specific orientations and tilts to maximize solar energy collection. Adjustable solar mounting systems designed to allow adjustments in the tilt and orientation of panels are becoming more popular. These adjustable systems allow for better energy collection, resulting in improved system efficiency.
3. Integrated Design: The integration of various engineering design considerations when creating solar photovoltaic supports is essential. With proper design of the support structure, it can function as an effective drainage system. This can prevent water from excess rainfall from accumulating and causing damage to the building and solar panels.
4. Modular Structures: Modular solar photovoltaic support systems consist of pre-designed and connected units that allow for easy installation and flexibility in the expansion. This customizable approach makes module-based structures more flexible, allowing designers to adapt their systems to fit with different buildings and applications.
Conclusion
The solar photovoltaic industry has seen significant advancements in support systems over the years. These new developments have helped to increase the efficiency and durability of solar systems, resulting in better energy output and lower maintenance costs. As more businesses and households switch to solar energy, the demand for support systems will continue to grow, making it essential to stay up to date with the latest trends in the industry. Get more solar mounting system solutions from https://www.yrksolar.com/.