The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) earlier commissioned a consultant to assess the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential of building rooftops in Hong Kong. A spokesperson for the EMSD said today (July 12) that the study has been completed.
 
     As the consultant pointed out in the study, installation of solar PV systems in Hong Kong is subject to various restrictions. For example, the systems may not be effectively installed in around one-third of the gross total roof area in Hong Kong for reasons such as low solar irradiance, and a large portion of the roof areas being used for other purposes such as refuge areas and building services components including plant rooms and air-conditioner outdoor units. Taking into account these restrictions, the consultant estimated that the annual electricity generated could be around 880 000 megawatt-hours at most, if the building rooftops in Hong Kong are fully used to install solar PV systems. Whether this potential can be fully exploited depends on a number of factors, including the buildings' structural integrity and the building owners' preferences.
 
     To encourage the development of renewable energy (RE), the Government has taken the lead by earmarking $2 billion to implement various projects at premises such as government buildings, venues and community facilities, and will install larger-scale solar generation systems at suitable locations at reservoirs and landfills. Beyond the Government, the two power companies have introduced a Feed-in Tariff (FiT) to provide incentives for individuals and organisations to invest in RE. The Government has also implemented facilitation measures including suitably relaxing the installation restrictions on the rooftops of New Territories Exempted Houses (commonly known as village houses), and launching Solar Harvest to install solar PV panels for eligible schools and welfare non-governmental organisations.
 
     On technical support, the EMSD has uploaded a reference list of PV system contractors and relevant information to its Hong Kong Renewable Energy Net. The EMSD has also set up the FiT hotline, published the Guidance Notes for Solar PV System Installation, enhanced training for the trade, and more. The Government will continue to encourage the community to join hands in fostering RE development.
 
     The executive summary of the study report has been uploaded to the EMSD's website (re.emsd.gov.hk/english/index.html).

     The Transport Department (TD) today (July 12) reminded the public that to facilitate the extension of opening hours of the Hong Kong Book Fair 2019 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) next Friday and Saturday (July 19 and 20), the following special transport arrangements will be implemented on those two days:

1. The ferry service between Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui will be extended to 11.30pm daily. The headway of the service will also be enhanced to eight to 12 minutes between 8pm and 11.30pm;

2. To cope with the additional passenger demand, four special cross-harbour bus routes will be operated by the bus companies:

(i) Routes 105R and 111R heading for Mei Foo and Yue Man Square in Kwun Tong respectively will operate from HKCEC Phase II on Expo Drive from 10pm to 1am of the following day daily. The headway will be 10 to 15 minutes with a fare charged at $16.50;

(ii) Route 168R heading for Yuen Long West will operate from Convention Avenue outside Harbour Centre from 11pm to midnight daily. The headway will be 30 minutes with a fare charged at $35.30; and

(iii) Route 178R heading for Lok Ma Chau (San Tin) Public Transport Interchange via Fanling and Sheung Shui will operate from Convention Avenue outside Harbour Centre from 11.10pm to 12.10am of the following day daily. The headway will be 30 minutes with a fare charged at $39.90.

     Details of the special transport arrangements are available at the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk). For enquiries, please call 1823.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (July 12) that due to big waves, red flag has been hoisted at Lo So Shing Beach in Islands District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     The Transport Department (TD) today (July 12) reminded members of the public that the interim special arrangement whereby members of the public may apply for late collection of their expired subsidy for February under the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme will end on July 15. Any further late applications beyond July 15 will not be accepted. Commuters who have not collected their subsidy for February may apply for late collection on or before July 15 by calling the Scheme hotline (2969 5500).
 
     "Having regard to the fact that the Scheme is still in its early stage of implementation, and to cater for those who may not have been able to claim the subsidy in the first three months, the Government introduced an interim special arrangement on May 16 whereby members of the public may apply, within one month from the day after the collection period, for late collection of their expired subsidy by calling the Scheme hotline. Upon confirmation of the application, the uncollected subsidy can be collected through various collection channels from the 16th day of the month following the date of the application and within a further three-month period thereafter," the TD spokesman said.
 
     "The interim special arrangement can only be applied to uncollected subsidy for the months of January, February and March by the end of the respective three-month collection periods. Notwithstanding this, members of the public who have yet to collect their subsidy for March are advised to collect it through the established collection channels as soon as possible before July 16, which will save them from calling the Scheme hotline to apply for late collection," the spokesman said.
 
     The service hours of the Scheme hotline are from 9am to 9pm on Mondays to Fridays and from 9am to 6pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Members of the public applying for the expired subsidy can press “1” and “0” after choosing the language on the Scheme hotline to be connected to the customer service representatives directly for the application. The respective periods for handling applications for claiming the uncollected subsidy for the months of February and March are as follows:
 

 
     Commuters may check their record of public transport expenses and subsidy amount through the website of the Scheme (www.ptfss.gov.hk), the Octopus App and the Scheme hotline. For enquires about the details of the Scheme, please browse through the Scheme website or call 1823.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced that the lifesaving services at Golden Beach in Tuen Mun District have resumed today (July 12). The lifesaving services at the beach were suspended earlier due to an insufficient number of lifeguards on duty.