The complaints from Tampines residents regarding ceiling leaks and mould after the installation of solar panels have sparked quite a conversation in the neighbourhood, and as someone living in a HDB block myself, I can empathise with their frustrations. Imagine coming home after a long day only to find water dripping from your ceiling, with pails strategically placed to catch the unwanted rain inside your own home. It’s not just inconvenient, it’s stressful.

Take the case of Mr David Mohan, a 66-year-old retiree living on the top floor of a block in Tampines Street 21. He experienced what many would call a homeowner’s nightmare—days of rain turning into days of constant leaking inside his kitchen. He and his wife had to wake up at intervals during the night to empty pails, as if keeping the rain out of your home was part of the daily routine. His story isn’t unique though. At least three other residents reported similar issues. Leaks, water patches, and the onset of mould have become a common gripe.

The timing of these incidents seemed too coincidental to ignore—solar panels were being installed on the rooftop of these buildings. It’s easy to understand why residents would link the two events. After all, no leaks before the installation, leaks after—pretty clear-cut, right? But HDB has stepped in to clear up this common misunderstanding, firmly stating that the installation of solar panels is not the culprit here. According to them, contractors working on these projects are not allowed to drill or puncture the rooftops of HDB blocks. Instead, the solar panels are installed using a method where they are weighed down by concrete ballasts, which sit on felt pads designed to protect the roof.

HDB also pointed out that the existing issues of ceiling leaks or cracks could be due to the natural wear and tear of the waterproofing membrane of the roof. Let’s not forget, these blocks were built in the 1980s, so deterioration over time is expected. The specific blocks in Tampines Street 21 were constructed between 1982 and 1987, and as any homeowner knows, regular maintenance is necessary, especially for structures that have been around for decades.

This doesn’t mean the residents’ complaints aren’t valid though. It’s easy to say that leaks were already present, but for many of these residents, the issues seemed to appear out of nowhere, coinciding with the solar panel works. One resident from Block 256, who chose to remain anonymous, reported patches on their kitchen ceiling and even electrical issues in the house—problems that had never occurred before the solar panel installation.

Similarly, another resident, who goes by Emily, reported water leaks in her master bedroom ceiling and mould growth in two wardrobes. Mould is a particularly distressing problem because it doesn’t just damage your belongings—it can also affect your health. Emily’s family responded by placing dehumidifiers all around the house, but that’s a short-term solution at best.

The frustration felt by these residents is understandable, especially when they feel like the source of the problem isn’t being clearly addressed. HDB, on the other hand, is sticking to its guns, saying there’s no evidence to suggest that solar panel installation is causing these leaks. In fact, they’ve only received fewer than 30 cases of feedback a year regarding ceiling leaks since they started the SolarNova programme in 2018. When you consider that they’ve installed solar panels on approximately 4,200 blocks, that’s less than 1% of the total.

The SolarNova programme itself is part of Singapore’s broader effort to make housing estates more sustainable. Solar energy is used to power common services like lifts, lights, and water pumps, helping town councils manage operational costs while reducing the carbon footprint. But as with any major infrastructure change, teething problems are expected.

So, what’s going on here? Could it be that the natural deterioration of these ageing buildings is coincidentally aligning with the solar panel installations? Or is there more to the story? HDB says they conducted pre-condition surveys before work began and found pre-existing issues like ceiling cracks and water patches in some units. They’ve been working on fixing these problems on a goodwill basis, sometimes even alongside the installation of the panels. That’s commendable, but it doesn’t change the fact that residents still have to deal with the stress and inconvenience of living in a leaky flat.

The truth likely lies somewhere in the middle. The roofs of these blocks are getting old, and while the solar panels might not be directly causing the leaks, the process of installing them could be exacerbating pre-existing issues. More drilling and vibrations might be enough to tip an already fragile roof into a leaking one.

And then there’s the issue of time. Residents are also growing frustrated with the prolonged nature of the solar panel works. Some blocks started installations in late 2023 and are still ongoing. Delays have been attributed to sub-contractors having trouble securing the necessary materials, but for residents, it just feels like one long, drawn-out disturbance to their everyday lives. Noise from the drilling, ongoing works that never seem to end, and the worry that every rain shower could lead to another leak—it’s easy to see why tempers might be running high.

In the end, while solar panels represent progress and sustainability for the community, it’s important to remember that for the residents at the heart of it, this progress has come with its share of pain points. Perhaps more transparency and a clearer line of communication between contractors, HDB, and the residents could ease some of the tension. After all, nobody wants to feel like their home is being compromised, especially when the stakes are as high as a leaking ceiling or mouldy wardrobe.

Let’s hope that moving forward, as the SolarNova programme continues to roll out, the focus isn’t just on the sustainability of the energy but also on the sustainability of the homes themselves. Because at the end of the day, no one wants their ceiling to double as a raincloud.