Singapore's first retrofitted "Zero Energy Building" features
Mitsubishi Electric's most efficient photovoltaic technology.
Zero Energy Buildings (ZEB) produce as much energy as they consume and
represent the cutting edge of environmentally responsible
construction. These buildings, which utilize state-of-the-art,
energy-efficient technology and renewable energy systems, offer the
same amenities as other buildings while significantly reducing impact
on the environment.
By building Singapore's first ZEB at the BCA Academy, the government
is demonstrating that "green building technologies" can be a practical
solution for industrialized nations. The BCA Academy, featuring green
classrooms, a library and visitors' center, integrates various green
building technologies into a single facility to serve as a testing
ground for the development of clean energy technologies.
On the main roof and linkway of the building, there are 858 Mitsubishi
Electric photovoltaic panels, which generate 163kW of electricity.
That is nearly 85% of the electricity produced by the facility.
In lab tests, Mitsubishi Electric's photovoltaic cells, featuring the
highly efficient poly-crystalline silicon method, deliver one of the
world's highest1 energy conversion ratios—19.1%2. The cells are also
designed with no solder coating, helping to reduce the environmental
impact of cell manufacturing. Mitsubishi Electric is showing the world
that self-sufficient buildings and renewable energy sources are viable
development choices for the future.
1. Conversion efficiency for 15 cm2 poly-crystalline silicon
photovoltaic cell, confirmed by Mitsubishi Electric as of September
10, 2009.
2. Measured and certified by Japan's National Institute of Advanced
Industrial Science and Technology.
