Examining Measures Adopted in Other Countries to Increase Adopted of Residential Solar Installations on Private Properties
Ministry of Trade and IndustrySpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Associate Professor Jamus Jerome Lim’s inquiry into adapting international measures to increase residential solar installations on private properties. Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong reported that installations rose from 1,400 in 2020 to 6,900 in 2025, driven by falling costs and "rent-to-own" models. He stated that the Government has no plans to mandate installations because some rooftops have shading issues or are used for greenery. The Minister noted that rooftop solar currently offers a short payback period of five years or less, making it economically attractive. The Government will continue pushing solar deployment and consider additional measures to accelerate adoption if necessary.
Transcript
4 Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry whether the Ministry will consider examining measures adopted in other countries to increase the adoption of residential solar installations on private properties with a view to adapting them for local implementation.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: The adoption of residential solar installations on private properties has increased more than four times in five years, from around 1,400 in 2020 to around 6,900 in 2025. This has been driven by favourable economics. Solar panel costs have come down over the years and the payback period for rooftop solar can be five years or even shorter. For residential building owners who may be concerned about costs, some solar vendors offer "rent-to-own" models that allow them to enjoy the benefits of solar installation with little to no upfront cost.
Some jurisdictions have introduced measures to increase solar adoption, such as making it mandatory for new residential buildings to install solar panels. In Singapore, we have no plans at this stage to mandate solar panel installation on private residential buildings because some of these buildings have other rooftop uses, such as greenery, or their rooftops may not be suited to solar installation due to factors, such as shading from neighbouring buildings.
The Government will continue to push for solar deployment in Singapore and will consider additional measures to accelerate solar adoption if there is a need to do so.