Solar energy, specifically photovoltaic energy, is energy created directly from the sun’s incident radiation. The benefits of photovoltaic energy are its clean method of production, its cost (sunlight is free and limitless) and its almost constant availability. Being situated on the equator, Singapore is well positioned to harness this green source of energy.
However, application of photovoltaic energy locally in homes and offices (such as the placement of solar panels on rooftops to harness solar energy to power lights at night) is limited. This could be attributed to the general lack of awareness regarding implementation of photovoltaic systems, poor availability of photovoltaic appliances, as well as the high initial costs involved in installation.
Initial installation costs for these systems can be costly, but can be offset in the long term due to practically zero maintenance costs. In some countries, excess electricity produced at home can be sold back to the power grids, allowing home owners to make a small profit.
Research question:
Are NUS Science students willing to forfeit the high initial costs of installing photovoltaic systems in their homes in order to reap the long term economic and environmental benefits?
Purpose Statement:
This report aims to educate students from the Science Faculty about the benefits of solar energy and its applicability in Singapore. It also aims to persuade them to consider adopting these systems at homes and offices in future.
Justification for attudinal Survey:
Since students from the NUS Science faculty are future home-owners, rising utility bills will be an inevitable issue. Attitudinal surveys will aid in finding out whether these future home-owners are willing to invest in high initial installation costs for photovoltaic systems in order to reap the long term benefits in their homes and offices. Surveys can also help find out what reservations (other than price concerns) they might have about adopting these systems.
六弄咖啡館
8 years ago
7 comments:
interesting topic as it closely relates to our daily life ---- bills ^^
I think people will get more aware of this and will have the initiative to find out more about this solar energy application since they can greatly reduce their bill payments. At the same time, we can save the environment by adopting this green power.
Good topic!
Do you think it would be possible to narrow the focus of your survey? Once that is done, maybe you can also connect your survey population to the general research question. Do you see what I'm suggesting?
Thanks, Benjamin!
Hi Brad,
Thanks for your feedback! I've edited as you have suggested, and tried to relate the survey population to the research question. Your thoughts, please! Thanks again!
Hey!
I think this topic is quite interesting. But other than NUS students, maybe we can open up and get more opinions from Singaporeans who are already home-owners?
yuklum :)
Hello Ben !!
I like this topic, of using solar energy that is free energy to help cut costs and minimize usage of environmental resources which are depleting.
I think most homes may not be very likely to install solar panels as the cost of coming up with the panels can be too costly for most average income earners. Besides, most houses in Singapore are high rise flats and thus having solar panels may result in the distribution of energy which maybe less efficient per unit house unless more measures are taken to increase efficiency.
But overall, if this suggestion is implemented, it will turn Singapore a "GREENER CITY " (:
That is a good topic there! I profess ignorance in it though, since I have always wondered whether all those solar panels will contribute significantly to heat increase within the cityscape.
Like Hannah, I also believed that the application of solar panels will be difficult and costlier than usual since most housings in Singapore are effectively high rise buildings.
Wow this is a very relevant topic since we have good sunlight almost whole year round! :D
I too think that most homes may not be very likely to install solar panels as they have to invest a big sum first before reaping the benefits from it. Some people may not dare to risk.
Also I feel that maybe you should change your target group to the current house-owners so as to have more assuring survey results. :)
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