Why Planning Solar Early in Your Home’s Construction Matters in Singapore

Why Plan for Solar Early in Construction?

Many homeowners start exploring solar options while their new home is still being built — and with good reason. Planning allows you to integrate solar seamlessly into the overall design of your house, ensuring cleaner aesthetics and faster installation later.

However, there are important regulatory steps to consider in Singapore. Understanding the process helps you avoid delays, keep your home design clean, and enjoy solar savings as soon as you move in.

BCA Submission & Approval

When a new home is under construction, the architect must submit detailed drawings to the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) for approval.

After construction, BCA inspects to confirm that the finished house matches the approved drawings.

⚠️ Important: If solar panels are installed before this inspection and not included in the original submission, the project will fail inspection.

When Is the Best Time to Install Solar Panels?

The ideal time to install solar panels in Singapore is after your home receives its Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP).

• This ensures the BCA inspection process goes smoothly.

• It avoids unnecessary delays or the risk of failing compliance checks.

• Once TOP is granted, solar installation can proceed without regulatory hurdles.

Preparing Ahead During Construction

Even though solar panels should only be installed after TOP, it’s still smart to engage a solar contractor before construction is completed. Here’s why:

• Concealed Wiring – Cabling can be laid in advance and hidden neatly within walls or conduits.

• Faster Installation – Once TOP is issued, panels can be mounted quickly since the wiring is ready.

• Cleaner Finish – No messy exposed wires, trunking, or drilling after the house is complete.

By preparing early, your solar system will integrate seamlessly into your home’s design while minimising disruption.

Key Takeaways

• ✅ Don’t install solar panels before TOP — it risks failing BCA inspection.

• ✅ Do engage a solar contractor early to prepare concealed wiring during construction.

• ✅ Install panels immediately after TOP for the smoothest process and immediate energy savings.

Final Thoughts

Planning solar during construction is the best way to ensure a seamless, clean, and compliant installation. By engaging a solar contractor early and waiting until TOP to mount your panels, you’ll enjoy a flawless design and long-term savings from day one in your new home.

✅ Pro Tip: Ask your solar contractor to coordinate with your architect during the BCA submission stage. This ensures wiring routes are planned correctly, and you won’t face design conflicts later.