Singapore – The Housing & Development Board (HDB) has launched the eighth solar leasing tender under the SolarNova programme. The largest tender to date, this tender covers the installation of solar panels across 1,075 HDB blocks and 104 government sites, with a solar capacity of 113 megawatt-peak (MWp). Installation of the solar panels is expected to complete by 3Q2026.

Jointly led by HDB and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), the SolarNova programme aggregates public sector demand for the installation of solar panels across HDB blocks and government sites, thus helping to accelerate the deployment of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in Singapore and drive the growth of Singapore’s solar industry.

The eighth SolarNova tender involves the participation of 10 agencies, namely the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Home Affairs, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, Singapore Customs, HDB, National Environment Agency, and People’s Association.

HDB is the largest driver for the installation of solar PV systems in Singapore today. In HDB estates, solar energy that is harnessed is first used to power common services, such as lifts, lights, and water pumps in HDB estates in the day. Excess solar energy is channeled to the grid. On average, we have been able to achieve net-zero energy consumption for the common areas of HDB blocks where solar panels have been installed.

In 2019, HDB announced a new solar target of 540 MWp by 2030, after having achieved its earlier solar target of 220 MWp. Including this eighth SolarNova tender, and solar efforts prior to the SolarNova programme, HDB has committed a total solar capacity of 440 MWp. This is more than 80% of our solar target and is equivalent to powering 110,000 4-room flats.

The solar initiatives are an integral part of the HDB Green Towns Programme, which aims to make HDB towns more sustainable and liveable. Launched in 2020, the HDB Green Towns Programme focuses on five areas of sustainability and liveability, i.e. reducing energy consumption, recycling rainwater, cooling HDB towns, promoting green commute, and reducing waste.