Sunseap's response to the COVID-19 outbreak and how the global pandemic is affecting the solar industry
By Natalie Tham
COVID-19 has morphed into an unprecedented crisis worldwide. As of 25 March, the virus has claimed the lives of over 18,000 people, and with at least 400 000 confirmed cases worldwide, the new global pandemic shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. And while these developments appear daunting, you will find that at Sunseap Group, it is business as usual with some minor tweaks.
When the first of local COVID-19 cases showed up, Sunseap acted preemptively to minimise the spread of the virus. In line with the Government's advice, precautionary measures were ramped up for both staff and visitors to ensure a safe environment for all:
(i) Mandatory temperature screening is done for all internal staff and visitors
(ii) Hand sanitisers were made available around the office
(iii) Face-to-face meetings between Sunseap staff and external parties were reduced
(iv) Social distancing measures were implemented
Till today, we are still actively carrying out these measures, and we will continue to do so as long as the outbreak persists.
Nonetheless, this situation has created a new normal for Sunseap, and we expect this new normal to persist for at least a year - the duration that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has forewarned COVID-19 to last.
Like any other industry affected by COVID-19, the solar industry has not been spared. As lockdowns came into place and fewer workers went to work, especially in China where most of the world's solar panels are manufactured, the solar industry suffered supply chain disruptions. In the United States alone, major solar developers that are facing a shortage in solar panels are issuing their own “force majeure” notices to utilities. And with the heightened risk of contracting the virus while travelling, overseas travel has been curtailed, thus delaying or scaling back solar projects overseas. This directly slows down the business development of solar companies.
However, as lockdowns in China have since been lifted and solar factories in China start to resume operations as per usual again, we can expect to see production bounce back, slowly but surely.
As we continue pushing for sustainability, let us continue supporting solar companies.
COVID-19 has morphed into an unprecedented crisis worldwide. As of 25 March, the virus has claimed the lives of over 18,000 people, and with at least 400 000 confirmed cases worldwide, the new global pandemic shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. And while these developments appear daunting, you will find that at Sunseap Group, it is business as usual with some minor tweaks.
When the first of local COVID-19 cases showed up, Sunseap acted preemptively to minimise the spread of the virus. In line with the Government's advice, precautionary measures were ramped up for both staff and visitors to ensure a safe environment for all:
(i) Mandatory temperature screening is done for all internal staff and visitors
Visitors to Sunseap's office must pass temperature checks to be allowed into the premises.
Internal staff are required to record their temperature twice daily.
(ii) Hand sanitisers were made available around the office
We encourage our staff to use the hand sanitisers frequently.
(iii) Face-to-face meetings between Sunseap staff and external parties were reduced
We are adopting teleconferencing to minimise contact with external parties.
(iv) Social distancing measures were implemented
Red tape was used to mark out distance between employees.
Chairs have been spaced out to minimise close contact.
Till today, we are still actively carrying out these measures, and we will continue to do so as long as the outbreak persists.
Nonetheless, this situation has created a new normal for Sunseap, and we expect this new normal to persist for at least a year - the duration that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has forewarned COVID-19 to last.
Like any other industry affected by COVID-19, the solar industry has not been spared. As lockdowns came into place and fewer workers went to work, especially in China where most of the world's solar panels are manufactured, the solar industry suffered supply chain disruptions. In the United States alone, major solar developers that are facing a shortage in solar panels are issuing their own “force majeure” notices to utilities. And with the heightened risk of contracting the virus while travelling, overseas travel has been curtailed, thus delaying or scaling back solar projects overseas. This directly slows down the business development of solar companies.
However, as lockdowns in China have since been lifted and solar factories in China start to resume operations as per usual again, we can expect to see production bounce back, slowly but surely.
As we continue pushing for sustainability, let us continue supporting solar companies.
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