Town councils should pass on savings from solar energy to residents

I refer to the report “Future HDB projects to have solar-ready roofs to save installation costs and time” (Sept 1, online).

When solar panels installed on Housing and Development Board rooftops become a norm, more town councils will enjoy discounted electricity rates to power common services in the estates.

The excess energy can also be sold to the national electrical grid.

This raises the question of how town councils can pass the savings in energy, one of the components of their expenditure, to residents.

At the least, future increases in service and conservancy charges should be offset or held back by the gains from solar power. Town councils should be transparent about the savings from solar power, including calculations of the number of hours generated and the amount channelled to the grid. And the benefits should be shared with residents.