SINGAPORE, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- Singapore will pilot solar photovoltaic (PV) roof tiles on heritage State buildings to expand solar power generation while preserving their architectural character, the Energy Market Authority (EMA) said on Tuesday.
EMA will work with Swiss technology innovation center CSEM and the Singapore Land Authority on the pilot. Designed to resemble traditional clay roof tiles, the solar tiles will allow a larger roof area to generate clean electricity while retaining the overall appearance of the roofscape, EMA said.
Traditional clay tile roofs are an integral part of the character of heritage precincts. "As such, conventional solar panels have only been installed at localized areas on the roofs of heritage buildings," EMA said.
Separately, EMA said it had signed a memorandum of understanding with CSEM to jointly research and develop solar technologies.
The agreement is part of Singapore's broader efforts to develop and deploy innovative solar energy technologies in partnership with the public and private sectors, EMA said. ■
