The article "Go-Ahead Singapore
rolls out 6-month trial of public buses with solar panels" by
Kok(2021) discusses the use of solar panels on the roof of public buses will
help companies to save money on fuel, as well as save the environment.
Moreover, it can help save costs by reducing the number of times needed to
change its parts such as batteries and alternators. Singapore bus company
Go-Ahead has rolled out this experiment where ultra-thin solar panels are
installed on two buses. The aim of this experiment is to generate solar energy
to power the buses’ battery instead of using fuel to charge it up. “The 20kg,
1.6mm thick, flexible and shatterproof solar panels” are designed to endure
harsh environments such as “high temperatures and daily washing of buses”.
"Typically, solar panels are big and very heavy. So if you install them on
top of the bus, (there will be concerns). The ones that we use are ultra-thin
and very lightweight. So, we have no issues in this aspect." According to
a similar experiment conducted in Southampton of the United Kingdom, each bus will be able to save up to 1400 liters of diesel, however, due to Singapore’s
sunny and tropical climate, the experimental results are expected to do even
better. With more awareness of the effect of climate change, we tend to lean
towards having greener and renewable sources of energy to replace the old
fossil fuel.
I strongly believe that solar
panels' benefits outweigh their negative impact. Solar panels on buses
will help to alleviate climate change by turning sunlight into electricity
which charges the bus’s battery without the need to burn fuel.
As such, the first benefit of using green energy such as solar panels on buses
includes reducing diesel consumption and carbon emission. According to Deakin
(2020), there are many benefits of installing solar panels on buses such as
reducing the load of the alternator as well as saving money for bus companies
by using lesser fuel. Solar power is a form of green energy where sunlight
radiance will be absorbed and converted to electrical energy, which is then
used to charge batteries or power appliances. Meanwhile, alternators produce
electricity to charge the battery from the burning of fuel which releases more
than just CO2 into the air. By having solar panels on buses, it can directly
charge up the bus battery without the need for an alternator that draws power
from the engine by burning fuel. “Solar panels expects to reduce annual fuel
use by 1500 liters “
The second benefit of solar panels
on buses is that they will improve the lifespan of the battery on board buses and
lesser road service and maintenance. Citing from a blog, “smart
battery-charging technology and an optimal state-of-charge on the battery” will
prolong the battery lifespan as a low depth of discharge is better than a
high depth of discharge. With reference from a blog on factors that influence
battery degradation, it states that “a low DOD is better than a higher one”.
With the solar panels constantly providing power to the batteries, this will
cause the charging cycle height to be maintained at a low level which results
in a longer better life span. As a result of this constant charging of the
battery, it reduces the strain on the alternator as much of the power comes
from the solar panels, it also prolongs the alternator’s lifespan with results
in the reduce the number of maintenances and services.
Last but not least, the third
benefit of solar panels on buses is the reduction of fuel consumption. About
"1400litres of fuel can be saved from each bus per year" after the
installation of solar panels on buses as it reduces the need for the engine to
burn fuel to run the alternator to charge the battery. Power generated by the
solar panels is directly used to charge the battery, if not it will have to
rely on the vehicle’s alternator. ”This will reduce the load on the bus engine”
Concerning an experiment conducted in Southampton in the United Kingdom where
18 buses are fitted with these solar panels where roughly “3 to 4 percent of
fuel” can be saved yearly, Kok(2021) stated that buses in Singapore are
expected to have better results of the experiment due to the tropical climate
throughout the year. ”The panels are expected to help Go-Ahead Singapore save
1400 liters of diesel per bus per year”. Since the battery will be directly
charged by power generated by the solar panels, “this will in turn reduce the
load on the bus engine.”
However, there are downside to this idea of installing solar panels on buses and it is that it takes a couple of years to recoup the installation and conversion fees as well as higher maintenance costs. Solar panels are expensive, furthermore, converting buses to allow solar power charging up the battery would cost even more. According to a forum discussion, installing solar panels on a minibus would cost more than $4000, excluding the conversion fee. With a massive fleet of buses, companies would think twice before executing the change. Maintaining the solar panels on buses will be an expensive expense for the bus companies. Also, solar panels on buses are not the most efficient way. Many countries are building more tunnels and underground road networks which defeat the purpose of installing solar panels on buses. Moreover, several countries do not receive sunlight for a certain period throughout the year. According to Amber (2014), places such as Alaska and the North-eastern part of the United States might even spend several weeks in total darkness, therefore installing solar panels on buses in these places will not be the best solution to save fuel consumption and reduce carbon emission.
Given this reader response, I believe that solar panels' benefits outweigh their negative impact.
This summary weighs out the benefits of installing solar panels on buses and solar panels help alleviate climate change.
References:
Amber. (2014, January 2)
The Pros and Cons of Tindo the Solar-Powered Bus. HubPages
https://discover.hubpages.com/technology/The-Pros-and-Cons-of-Tindo-the-Solar-Powered-Bus
Kok Yufeng (2021, March 30)
Go-Ahead Singapore rolls out 6 months trial of public buses with solar panels.
The Straits Times
Vella. S (2021, August
9) Solar Panels To Be Installed On Top Of Malta Public Transport Buses. Lovin
Malta
https://lovinmalta.com/news/solar-panels-to-be-installed-on-top-of-malta-public-transport-buses/
Deakin. T (2020, December 11) Solar panels for
coach and bus: what are the benefits? Route One. https://www.route-one.net/environment/solar-panels-for-coach-and-bus-what-are-the-benefits/
Viriciti. (2019,
December 11) Top 4 Factors That Influence Battery Degradation In Electric Buses
and How to Avoid Them.
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