Summary reader response draft #2

With climate change arriving at our doorsteps, we should do what we can to delay its arrival. One such action is the usage of solar panels to generate greener and more efficient energy installed onto the roofs of our public buses, reducing fuel consumption and ultimately decreasing the production of harmful carbon emissions.

The article "Go-Ahead Singapore rolls out 6-month trial of public buses with solar panels" by Kok(2021) talks about the benefits of fitting solar panels onto the roof of existing buses to make them green and more efficient including the electric ones. Based on the article, slim and durable solar panels are capable of generating enough energy sufficient to power the onboard battery. Normally the vehicle's alternator would be the one doing the job, however, with the aid of the panels, reduces the load of the engine. The consequences of the execution would see fuel consumption is reduced, leading to tonnes of carbon emission-reducing similarly. The trial aims to test the effectiveness of the panels reducing fuel consumption while ensuring its robust enough to withstand elevated temperatures and daily washing of the buses. With Singapore's tropical climate, it would yield better results than other locations. The solar panels that are fitted onto the buses are significantly thinner and lighter compared to their counterparts, making it much safer. Based on the article, it would take about 4 years to recuperate the cost of the trial from the saving of fuel consumption.


Supporting articles

Magali A. Delmas, Matthew E. Kahn, Stephen L. Locke (2017) The private and social consequences of purchasing an electric vehicle and solar panels: Evidence from California, Research in Economics, Volume 71, Issue 2, Pages 225-235, ISSN 1090-9443, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S109094431630254X

Shashank Arora, Alireza Tashakori Abkenar, Shantha Gamini Jayasinghe, Kari Tammi (2021) Chapter 1 - Heavy-duty Electric Vehicles and Society, Pages 1-34, ISBN 9780128181263, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128181263000026

Jing-Quan Li (2016) Battery-electric transit bus developments and operations: A review, International Journal of Sustainable Transportation, 10:3, 157-169, DOI: 10.1080/15568318.2013.872737



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