HONG KONG SAR -
Media OutReach Newswire - 2 June 2024 - CLP
e
and City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) announced that they have
teamed up to install advanced high-efficiency bifacial solar panels
across the campus as a one-stop Solar-as-a-Service solution provided by
CLP
e, which promotes the adoption of renewable energy in the University in the most cost-effective way.
Nearly 2,000 high-efficiency bifacial solar panels – which absorb
sunlight on both sides and generate around 10% more electricity than
traditional single-sided panels – will be fitted on the rooftops of more
than 30 buildings on the CityUHK campus by CLP
e, covering approximately 4,500 square metres of rooftop space.
The system is expected to generate approximately 1.15GWh of electricity
per year, which is equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of
around 280 households and will reduce carbon emissions by an estimated
450 tonnes a year. CLP
e will also introduce a real-time
monitoring platform to enhance monitoring of the operation, which can
improve the performance and operational efficiency of the solar energy
system.
In addition, the project will incorporate scientific research by CityUHK
by testing the electricity-free, passive radiative cooling paint for
buildings developed by i2Cool, a technology-based start-up under the HK
Tech 300 Programme organised by CityUHK. The coating reflects sunlight
and helps reduce the temperature of buildings and will be tested on one
of the CityUHK rooftops to evaluate its effectiveness in enhancing solar
power generation.
CityUHK President Professor Freddy Boey said, "Global warming and
extreme weather are pressing issues of our time. As a world-class
university, CityUHK's academic and research teams are committed to
pioneering innovative solutions for the future. We continue to drive and
implement sustainable development through ground-breaking research and
solutions to have a significant impact in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and
the world."
CLP
e Managing Director Mr Ringo Ng said he was delighted to work
with CityUHK to provide the campus with a bespoke one-stop
Solar-as-a-Service solution to accelerate the pace of carbon reduction.
"CLP
e will fund, design, and install solar panels based on the
unique characteristics of each building's rooftop," he explained. "After
the system has been put into operation, CLP
e will also manage
the operation of the system, enabling CityUHK to promote renewable
energy on campus in the most cost-effective way. This project
demonstrates how large-scale renewable energy systems can be implemented
in densely developed urban areas."
Work on the solar project is expected to begin in the third quarter of
this year and to be completed in the first quarter of 2025. CLP
e
will continue to explore further collaboration with CityUHK in energy
conservation and carbon reduction, including building energy management
and monitoring systems, retro-commissioning services, smart sensing,
automation, and Cooling-as-a-Service. The initiatives aim to incorporate
more decarbonisation elements into the campus, raise awareness of green
living among teachers and students, and encourage further partnership
between businesses and the educational sector to advance sustainable
development.
CityUHK is committed to fulfilling the University's social
responsibility and emphasises sustainable development. It was the first
university in Hong Kong to establish a School of Energy and Environment,
and it set up the Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy to lead research
and practice in sustainable development and clean energy. In addition,
sustainable elements are incorporated into the CityUHK campus and the
Student Hostel at Whitehead, Ma On Shan, which is set to open in this
September, to reduce our carbon footprint. CityUHK also continues to
implement various measures to advocate energy and water conservation,
recycling, and carbon emission reduction to faculty and students,
contributing to a sustainable future.