Tuas is a sprawling industrial precinct in the west of Singapore, evolving rapidly with reclamation, infrastructure roll-out, and the rise of Tuas Mega Port.

With vast rooftops, open land plots, and major industrial hubs (e.g., Tuas View, Tuas Biomedical Park), the area presents abundant potential for large-scale solar deployment. Here’s everything you need to know—from landscape and key projects to contractors, economics, and next steps.

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1. Why Tuas Is Ideal for Solar

Vast Industrial Land & Rooftop Space

Tuas spans roughly 30 km² and hosts a range of facilities—from biomedical plants and waste‑to‑energy incinerators to container terminals and RE manufacturing sites. Its abundant flat rooftops and cleared interim land resemble settings like Jurong Island, making it suitable for both rooftop and ground-mounted PV systems.

Strategic Green Energy Goals

Within the broader JTC SolarLand programme, industrial precincts like Tuas are targeted for modular solar deployment on interim land with high flexibility and reusability. Several energy partnerships are also underway—for example, Tuas Power is planning to import 400 MW of solar-generated electricity from Indonesian islands via undersea cables by 2027 under an MOU with Marubeni/Galang Island.

Anchored by Notable Pilot Projects

• Sembcorp Tuas Solar PV Park I: A ground-mounted 17.6 MWp system commissioned in May 2022. Built on 10 ha, it generates approximately 22 025 MWh annually—sufficient to power ~4,700 four-room HDB flats—and includes best-in-class rainfall recycling tech.

• Lonza Biologics (Tuas installation): Implemented in 2009, the 181 kWp rooftop PV system used penetration-free mounting, overcoming steep metal roof challenges.

• Mobile Canopy Solar Pilot: PSA and Sembcorp deployed a temporary 18 MWp solar canopy at Keppel Terminal (adjacent to Tuas) in December 2024, to be redeployed in 2027, showcasing modularity.

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2. Leading Contractors & Developers

Successful solar implementation in Tuas requires experienced firms capable of handling modular land systems, power export linking, and industrial approvals. Here’s a look at the top names in the region:

1st Solution Group is a trusted Singapore-based solar contractor with proven expertise in commercial and industrial solar installations—making them a strong choice for facilities in the Tuas region. Their full turnkey services are especially well-suited for factories, logistics hubs, chemical plants, and warehouses that dominate the Tuas industrial landscape.

Why Choose 1st Solution Group for Tuas Projects:

•  Turnkey Delivery – From feasibility study, system design, and LEW submissions to EMA/SP Group liaison, 1st Solution ensures full compliance with Tuas’s stringent industrial regulations.

•  Customised Engineering – The company tailors PV systems for challenging industrial sites with complex roof layouts, hazardous zones, or limited access.

•  Smart Monitoring – Every system comes with a real-time solar energy monitoring app, enabling facility managers to track performance and savings.

•  Flexible Financing – Offers outright purchase or rent-to-own options, helping companies in Tuas reduce CAPEX while achieving long-term ROI.

•  Multi-System Integration – Clients can bundle services such as CCTV, fire protection, and energy optimisation into the solar contract—ideal for plant-wide upgrades or green retrofitting.

Notable Projects:

1st Solution Group has installed solar PV systems for several industrial buildings and warehouses in western Singapore, including the Tuas and Penjuru areas. Their experience handling high-roof structures, hazardous sites, and tight construction windows makes them an ideal partner for mission-critical projects.

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3. Technology & Installation Approaches

Rooftop PV (Fixed & Penetration-Free)

Ideal for industrial buildings, especially with mixed-use roofs. Systems like the S‑5! clamp avoid drilling through the roofing membrane, helping preserve integrity and expedite installation.

Ground-Mounted PV on Interim Land

Great for large flat plots awaiting redevelopment. Projects like Sembcorp Tuas PV Park I show successful installation with high output (~22 GWh/year) and innovation, including rainwater recycling systems.

Modular & Redeployable Canopies

PSA’s solar canopy is designed to be disassembled and moved to new locations (e.g., within container terminals). The model is suitable for port-like facilities with evolving footprints .

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4. Economics & ROI

Estimates for different system sizes and models:

Factors influencing ROI include panel/inverter quality (Tier-1 modules, SMA/Huawei inverters), land lease fees, financing options (CapEx vs PPA), and regulatory submissions.

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5. Benefits for Tuas Stakeholders

• Energy cost savings: Offsetting daytime factory load can reduce energy bills by 20–35%.

• Sustainability compliance: Strong alignment with Net-Zero initiatives and ESG standards.

• Modular flexibility: Particularly useful given the dynamic industrial land landscape.

• Tech innovation: Integration of PV with rainwater cooling/washing, clamp-mounted systems, and power importing via undersea cables.

• Land optimisation: Deployable systems enable land use without blocking future reclamation plans.

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6. Challenges & Considerations

• Interim Land Planning: Many Tuas areas are provisional. PV systems must be easily moved or removed.

• Regulatory Approvals: Submissions must comply with JTC/EMA/SP Group/SCDF/EDB. Local installers ensure turnkey processing.

• Roof Structural Integrity: Older industrial roofs may require reinforcement; clamp systems help reduce modifications.

• Grid Integration: Larger systems need SP Group liaising, and potential undersea cable interfaces if part of export schemes.

• Industrial Constraints: Avoid shading from incinerator stacks/ventilation, comply with chemical/fire safety standards.

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7. Roadmap to Deployment

Step 1: Project Definition

Establish system type (rooftop, ground, canopy), approximate capacity (100 kWp to >10 MWp or more), financing preference (CapEx, PPA, lease, hybrid), and siting details.

Step 2: Site Assessment & Feasibility

Engage contractors like Sembcorp, Phoenix Solar, or EDPR APAC to study shading, structural readiness, roof integrity, and land status.

Step 3: Tender & Proposal

Request detailed proposals covering panel/inverter spec, financing, maintenance, output projections, regulatory processes, ROI modelling, and warranty terms.

Step 4: Regulatory Processing

Ensure the installer manages:

• EMA licensing

• SP Group grid-tie & metering

• SCDF fire-safety testing

• JTC interim-land permissions

Step 5: Design & Engineering

Finalise electrical and civil designs, leverage modular/rainwater-cooling features, and prepare site for scaffolding/mounting.

Step 6: Installation & Testing

Deploy clamp-mounted systems or ground pods; connect to grid; conduct SCDF & SP Group tests; switch on with performance monitoring.

Step 7: O&M Strategy

Set up monitoring dashboards, regular panel/inverter maintenance, rainwater-system servicing, and KPIs tracking.

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8. Case Studies at a Glance

 Lonza Tuas Rooftop (2009) – 181 kWp

• Pioneering penetration-free clamp mounting

• No roof drilling, preservation of structural waterproofing

• Delivered early recognition, securing EDB Solar Pioneer Award

9. Looking Ahead: What’s on the Horizon?

• Energy Import Vision: Post-2027, Singapore aims to import 600 MW via Indonesian undersea cables.

• Modular Demands: Redeployment-focused models expected across evolving industrial plots.

• JTC SolarLand Expansion: New modular ground PV installations and off-site PPA options are set to roll out.

• Technology Integration: Expect more installations with rainwater cooling, battery storage for export, rooftop clamp mounts.

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10. Final Thoughts & Recommendations

• Choose modular contractors: Sembcorp, PSA‑Sembcorp, Phoenix Solar, EDPR APAC are equipped for Tuas-scale and mobility.

• Design for flexibility: Clamp roofs, modular inverters, easy-to-dismantle ground structures.

• Explore hybrid financing: Blended CapEx + PPA models help optimise returns.

• Plan for grid & export: Tie-in with SP Group and future laws regarding power export readiness.

• Monitor thoroughly: Long-term maintenance and output monitoring are essential for ROI and compliance.