Article Summary (Draft 2)
According to the article “Go-Ahead Singapore rolls out 6-month trial of public buses with solar panels”(2021), 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 litres 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.
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.
Go-Ahead Singapore estimates that within 4 years, they will recover their initial costs from the savings made from reducing fuel consumption.
Thesis statement
The installation of solar panels is a beneficial decision made by Go-Ahead Singapore as solar panels help to reduce bus fuel consumption and in turn help to save fuel cost.
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