Technical Report: Evaluation

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Despite the benefits of the proposed solution, there are still some potential challenges that may need to be considered with the added modifications made to the roofs of shophouses, especially for solar panels and water pipes. Overlooking them could lead to serious consequences and implications, which may result in permanent damage.

Due to the fragility of the tiles on the shophouses, solar panel installers might have a difficult time conducting the installation (SolarReviews, 2023). Installers would have to handle the tiles carefully, which would extend the installation process and increase labour costs. Stakeholders may be dissuaded by the overall cost of the necessary supplies and equipment.

4.1 Complications of Racking

Solar panel installation is permanent and could cause structural damage because racking is needed on roofs. To install the mounts, some roof tiles must be removed, which could result in the roof seal opening and potential water damage. Sustained exposure to water damage could lead to the steel roof mounts to rust and corrode. This could eventually cause the support to give way and be unable to hold the weight of the solar panel and rainwater collection system, especially during prolonged downpours during the monsoon season.

4.2 High Upfront Cost

Despite the possible difficulties caused by the high upfront cost, the benefits of installing solar panels outweigh any prospective issues since solar panels can reduce the need for electrical energy, making them more cost-effective in the long run. Furthermore, the roof mounts provided may be simply updated and maintained, allowing the components that are rusting to be replaced. Solar panels can be monitored and inspected on a regular basis to ensure that they are operating at peak efficiency.

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