Article Summary Reader Response (Draft 2)
According to the article “Go-Ahead Singapore rolls out 6-month trial of public buses with solar panels” (Kok, 2021), a trial on 2 buses that had 1.6mm thick, pliable and toughened solar panels fitted on their rooftops was carried out. Kok Yufeng (2021) describes that 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.
Kok goes on to say that 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. He suggests that the trial aims to assess the performance of the solar panels as well as appraise their efficiency and tolerance.
The article suggests that 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.
In the article, Kok also mentions that 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.
Kok states that Go-Ahead Singapore estimates that within 4 years, they will recover their initial costs from the savings made from reducing fuel consumption.
Implementing the installation of solar panels on heavy vehicles like buses will contribute to the lowering of CO2 emissions. As CO2 emissions play a big part in contributing to the greenhouse effect, if greenhouse gas levels continue to increase, the average temperature of the Earth’s surface will rise.
According to the article “Why Going Solar Can Help Reduce Emissions” (Suntuity Solar, 2021), it is said that “the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions are transportation (28%), electricity (28%), industry (22%), commercial and residential (11%), and agriculture (9%)”. As such, electricity production and transport are the largest contributors.
Installing solar panels is a good way to lower your carbon footprint as solar energy is a natural, renewable source because it can be replenished unlike fossil fuels. Solar energy also produces
little or no emissions when it’s converted to electricity.
It is reported that a solar panel’s carbon footprint is roughly 20 times less than the carbon output of coal-powered electricity sources (Ula Chrobak, 2021). In general, solar panels last over 20 years, which means that carbon emission will be reduced for a significant amount of time. The overall carbon footprint will also be reduced, as the solar panel system will remain carbon neutral for the rest of its lifespan (Cool Effect, 2021).
Solar energy is a more cost-effective option compared to fossil fuel as it is a renewable source of energy. Many of us might assume that the reason so much energy still comes from gas and fossil fuels is due to those fuels being cheaper. However, in the article “Solar Power Got Cheap. So Why Aren’t We Using It?” (Ula Chrobak, 2021), it is described that this assumption has been “obliterated by a recent decline in solar costs over the past decade. Solar energy has cheapened at an extreme rate. 10 years ago, it was the most expensive option for energy development”. Since then, that cost has dropped by 90 percent. Fossil fuels are not able to keep up with this price as fossil power plants have to buy mined fuels to operate while sunshine is free.
Buses are an efficient mode of public transport as it is able to carry a lot of passengers, hence making it the most viable option for the installation of solar panels. Buses driven with diesel fuel leave a massive negative impact on carbon dioxide emissions. Buses going zero-emission with solar energy is a win-win solution for bus companies and the environment. When equipped with solar panels, even diesel engine buses can become greener and efficient (Regen Power, 2021).
While reducing diesel use and CO2 emissions is the most obvious benefit to vehicle-mounted solar panels, they can also positively impact battery life. When the engine is off, onboard systems continue to consume energy. When it is restarted and the vehicle is driven, the battery recharges quickly which prolongs the battery life (Tim Deakin, 2020).
As much as incorporating solar panels onto diesel buses is a good idea, the high initial cost may cause one to hesitate. According to studies, the initial cost of installation for an average-sized solar panel system may cost up to $29,000. These costs exclude any subsequent maintenance fees and overhead costs. Although these costs are bound to break even after years of costs saved from fuel consumption, it is important to consider if this huge initial cost is worth the investment.
All things considered, the installation of solar panels is a beneficial decision made by Go-Ahead Singapore to help reduce bus fuel consumption and fuel cost. However, the original article was written with the intention of showcasing the trial that was previously held, it did not contain much information or statistics about how the solar panels positively affected the diesel buses or the environment. There were a lot of concepts and objectives that were being expressed, however the writer did not go into much technical detail of how the solar panels would help to reduce carbon emissions or improve the efficiency of the buses. Information regarding the physical aspects of the solar panels was emphasised instead.
References:
Cool Effect. (2021). Carbon Footprint of Solar Panel Manufacturing. https://www.cooleffect.org/solar-carbon-footprint#:~:text=Solar%20Energy%20Carbon%20Footprint&text=The%20solar%20panel's%20carbon%20footprint,solar%20power%20in%20your%20home.
Graham Sawrey. (2016). The Disadvantages Of Solar Energy (Cons): Cons Of Solar Panels & Solar Power. https://ecavo.com/solar-energy-disadvantages/
Kok Yufeng. (2021). Go-Ahead Singapore Rolls Out 6-month Trial of Public Buses With Solar Panels.
OVO Energy. (2020). How Solar Panels Reduce Your Carbon Footprint. https://www.ovoenergy.com/guides/energy-guides/how-solar-panels-can-reduce-your-carbon-footprint
Regen Power. (2021). Should buses Use Solar Panels?. https://regenpower.com/articles/should-buses-use-solar-panels/#:~:text=Panels%20Specially%20Made%20for%20Buses&text=The%201.6mm%2Dthick%20panels,fuel%20and%20reduces%20carbon%20emissions.
Suntuity Solar. (2021). Why Going Solar Can Help Reduce Emissions. https://suntuitysolar.com/suntuityblog/whygoingsolarcanhelpreduceemissions.html
Tim Deakin. (2020). Solar Panels for Coach and Bus: What are the Benefits?. https://www.route-one.net/environment/solar-panels-for-coach-and-bus-what-are-the-benefits/
Ula Chrobak. (2021). Solar Power Got Cheap. So Why Aren’t We Using It More?. https://www.popsci.com/story/environment/cheap-renewable-energy-vs-fossil-fuels
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