Singapore - Renovations to a research institute will turn the facility into Singapore's first zero-energy building, news reports said on Saturday.

Officials plan to cover the government-run BCA Academy with half a football field's worth of solar panels.

"Hopefully, with a little help from heaven, there won't be too many rainy days," The Straits Times quoted National University of Singapore Professor Lee Siew Eang as saying.

The ultra-efficient institute is scheduled for completion next year, at the forefront of a drive to reduce power consumption and cut greenhouse gas emissions in the city-state.

Referring to homes and offices of the future, Lee said using renewable energy without improving efficiency would be futile.

He said daylight, natural ventilation and visitor-tracking systems will improve efficiency. (dpa)