#sustainabilitywithoutboundaries

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has recently announced its latest commitment to being a sustainability leader in Hong Kong by launching a renewable energy project that will include the installation of up to 8,000 solar panels at over 50 locations on campus. It will be Hong Kong’s largest solar energy generation project when complete.

The project is coordinated by the Sustainability Unit with Prof. Davis BOOKHART, Head of Sustainability, and Prof. David BROWN, both are Adjunct Assistant Professors of the Division of Environment & Sustainability (ENVR), in the development team. 

The system will generate up to 3 million units (kWh) of electricity each year - equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of more than 900 three-member households in Hong Kong1, and reduce 1.5 million kg of carbon emission per annum over a 25-year period.

By joining CLP’s Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff (FiT) Scheme, the project will generate around $160 million up to the end of the FiT Scheme in 2033. After paying off the costs of the installation, HKUST will receive an average of $4 million per year that will be reinvested in further campus energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction projects.  The first phase of construction began last month and the project will continue through 2021.

The Division of Environment & Sustainability (ENVR) played a special role in the project in serving as the liaison between the University and the HKSAR Government, particularly the Environment Bureau.  The close contacts and good relations between ENVR and the Environment Bureau were very helpful in gaining support from the HKSAR Government, ensuring that the HKSAR Government is clear about the project goals, and smoothing out the approval processes.

This project was developed under the University’s sustainability strategic plan, the HKUST 2020 Sustainability Challenge set in 2016, where the university has been identifying large scale initiatives to reduce energy, greenhouse gases, and waste. Taking the opportunity of the FiT Scheme – which encourages the community to develop distributed renewable energy systems – HKUST will install thousands of best-in-class and highly-efficient monocrystalline solar panels, including both the conventional and flexible thin film PV panels.

We will be working with Widex Technology Development Limited – one of the most experienced solar power project developers in Hong Kong – to install the solar PV systems at more than 50 campus locations, including student and staff residences, academic and research blocks as well as sports and transport complexes.

The Secretary for the Environment, Mr. WONG Kam-sing, said, “The HKUST’s large scale solar energy generation system is well recognised and serves as an excellent model. The project not only supports Hong Kong's transition towards a low-carbon society but also attempts to integrate research and education on environmental innovation and technology in a meaningful way.  The HKUST has distinguished itself as an inspiring exemplar to the younger generation!  Hong Kong is committed to implementing the Hong Kong's Climate Action Plan 2030+ and exploring the long-term deep decarbonisation strategy.  I look forward to seeing HKUST proactively take up the leading role of climate action and further demonstrate stronger support for clean energy, green building and energy saving, and waste reduction etc.  Let's join hands in mitigating climate change.”

Prof. Davis BOOKHART, Head of Sustainability and Adjunct Assistant Professors of ENVR, said, “We don’t have any obvious large locations for solar, but we were excited to discover lots of overlooked small spaces that really added up. Our team and Widex worked well together to find areas of opportunity we never thought possible. With our peer institutions engaging in similar efforts, the higher education sector has a real chance to set a positive example for the sustainable development of Hong Kong.”

In moving forward, ENVR will continue to play a bridging role between the University and the Environment Bureau, and use the project as a living laboratory for faculty and students to test out their ideas and projects related to solar energy systems.

SCMP

University to launch Hong Kong’s largest solar energy project, generating income of up to HK$160 million by 2033

The Standard

Uni set to shine with solar first

Mirage News  

HKUST Goes Greener with Largest Solar Power Installation

無線新聞

科大安裝全港最大型太陽能系統 料每年可省400萬電費

RTHK

科大將建全港最大規模太陽能發電系統　有助減碳排放

商業電台

科大安裝全港最大型太陽能發電系統

明報

科大設8000塊太陽能板 全港最大 年產300萬度電

香港01

科大裝全港最大太陽能發電系統　產電量足夠900戶3人家庭用一年

信報

科大6000萬建太陽能系統

香港經濟日報

科大鋪8000太陽能板 年產300萬度電減1500噸碳排放

東方日報

科大裝八千太陽能板

晴報

鋪8000太陽能板 科大建環保校園 年產300萬度電 減1500噸碳排放

am730

建全港最大太陽能發電系統 科大料年減150萬公斤碳排放

文匯報

科大建太陽能發電系統 料年產300萬度電

大公報

科大將建全港最大太陽能板發電系統

中評社

科大將建全港最大太陽能板發電系統

頭條日報

參與上網電價計劃 每年有400萬收入 校園佈滿太陽能板 科大變發電大學

巴士的報

參與上網電價計劃 每年有400萬收入 校園佈滿太陽能板 科大變發電大學 

新華網

香港科大安裝太陽能板 全港同類系統中規模最大

人民網

香港科大安裝太陽能板 全港同類系統中規模最大

紫荊網

香港科大安裝太陽能板 全港同類系統中規模最大

中通社

香港科技大學將建全港最大規模太陽能發電系統

The Woods

Major solar energy scheme to be inaugurated by Hong Kong University, producing an income approximated HK$160 million by 2023

金羊網

香港科大将建设大规模太阳能发电系统