Nearly 2,000 high-efficiency bifacial solar panels ā which absorb sunlight on both sides and generate around 10% more electricity than traditional single-sided panels ā will be fitted on the rooftops of more than 30 buildings on the CityUHK campus by CLPe, 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. CLPe 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.”
CLPe 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. “CLPe 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, CLPe 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. CLPe 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.
