Deliberative Workshop on Solar PV Development in Hong Kong

Updated: Mar 16, 2022

Date: 4 - 5 Nov 2016 (Friday and Saturday)

Venue: Academic and Administration Building (AAB), Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong

Workshop A: 4th November (9:30a.m.-1:00p.m., Friday) // AAB 1312

Workshop B: 5th November (2:00-5:30p.m., Saturday) // AAB 505

Deliberative Workshop on Solar PV Development in Hong Kong: Prospects and Policy Challenges

The Asian Energy Studies Centre (AESC), together with the Department of Geography and Centre for Geo-Computational Studies at Hong Kong Baptist University, School of Energy and Environment at City University of Hong Kong, the Center for Deliberative Democracy at Stanford University, and the Department of Geography at the University of Hong Kong organised the two, half-day Deliberative Workshop on Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Development in Hong Kong: Prospects and Policy Challenges on 4-5 November, 2016.

About 60 participants joined the workshop. They consisted of potential solar PV adopters such as village house owners, sampled Hong Kong citizens, and commercial and institutional representatives from utility companies, energy service companies, developers, hotels, airline companies, and consultancies. This unique workshop adopted Deliberative Polling, an innovative deliberative participation method trademarked by Stanford University’s Center for Deliberative Democracy. Deliberative Polling aims to empower engaged and informed participants to take a proactive role in clarifying and debating key issues on matters of public importance Key issues discussed included Hong Kong’s solar potential, technical challenges such as grid connection and stability, tariff impact and costs, and policies and regulations.

Workshop Overview and Aim

The urgency to reduce rising greenhouse gas emissions, address climate change, and transition to a global, low-carbon energy system has never been greater. Once an expensive technology, solar photovoltaic (PV) prices have dropped substantially, become technologically mature, and is recognised as key energy option in recent years. Such rapid changes had led to an upsurge of policy interest and deployment in major global cities such as New York City, London, Singapore, Tokyo and Seoul, where they have introduced major solar initiatives, plans and targets. As an international financial hub and one of the world’s densest cities, Hong Kong also has an enormous role to play in addressing the aforementioned concerns, and great potential to harness solar energy to sustainably power the city. However, Hong Kong’s policy options and potential future for large-scale solar PV development remains an open question.

The aim of this deliberative workshop is threefold:

1) To provide a timely platform for meaningful stakeholder dialogue on Hong Kong’s prospects for solar PV;

2) To facilitate Hong Kongers to understand, get informed, and debate solar policies in the light of possible policy changes and the willingness to adopt solar as an energy option in Hong Kong; and

3) To understand the considered support and opposition to policy changes for solar PV in Hong Kong.

This workshop will focus on key themes that are vital to large-scale uptake of solar PV in Hong Kong:

Highlights of this Workshop

1) This will be a rare occasion for diverse stakeholders who are keen about and to gather to discuss solar PV development in Hong Kong.

Participants will have the opportunity to engage directly with other residential, commercial and institutional stakeholders as well as various experts who are keen in discussing solar PV development in Hong Kong

2) This well-structured workshop follows the format of an event under Deliberative Polling, an innovative deliberative participation method (trademarked by Stanford University’ s Center for Deliberative Demcoracy) that empowers engaged and informed participants to take a proactive role in clarifying and debating key issues.

Participants will share their views, debate, and clarify issues upon key themes critical to solar PV deployment in small groups and expert Q&A sessions. Moreover, unlike other forms of workshops, participants are the ones who raise questions to expert panellists, rather than simply hearing what expert panellists have to present on a certain issue.

3) Participants will have the first-hand opportunity to experience the Hong Kong Solar Map.

Using this program, participants will be able to calculate the solar PV potential of their own rooftop areas and experiment with various solar PV policy options.

4) Prof. Raymond So Wai-man, the Chairman of the Energy Advisory Committee which is the advisory body of the HKSAR government on energy policy, will be the workshop moderator.

The views and concerns shared in this workshop will be heard by the Government, and can influence policy-making in constructive ways.

Programme (tentative)