A solar panel in your house, why not? The Philippines is a tropical country anyway.
This was the battle cry of solar energy advocates at the recent Solar Day Pilipinas 2013 held last April 26.
Organized by the Philippine Solar Power Alliance (PSPA), in partnership
with World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF-Philippines), Solar
Day Pilipinas is the first of its kind in the country. It was suitably
held on a warm summer night at the Arts in the City event hall,
Bonifacio Global City.
The outdoors, where the stage was set, was punctuated by colorful lamps powered by, what else, but solar energy.
The lamps were connected to a battery charger, where the energy
gathered during the day was stored. Solar energy suppliers also set up
booths, where their products such as solar charger for phones, solar
lamps, photovoltaic system panels, were on display. Representatives from
these companies were present to explain to potential customers what
solar power is all about.
Inside the function
room, an exhibit of solar developers and their projects, as well as a
photo exhibit contest among student members of Philippine Society of
Youth Science Club, were opened to the public for viewing.
Notably, guests were pleasantly surprised that a number of homes and
commercial establishments are already using solar energy. The Starbucks
in St. Sharbels in Quezon City has a solar on its roof, for example.
But according to PSPA Vice President Claire Lee, they remain a minority
in this generally fossil fuels-dependent country.
“We want to bring the idea of solar to the homeowners, to empower them
by letting them know that hey, there’s a policy in the Philippines
wherein you can put solar on your roofs, and when you’re not using that
energy, you can export that solar to your grid. Meralco, for example, is
mandated to do that,” Lee said, referring to the Renewable Energy Act
of 2008.
Savings and earth-friendly
According to the solar advocates, there’s a misconception that solar
energy is more expensive. Lee stressed the importance of raising
awareness among homeowners.
“Unlike cars and
cellphone technology, these are dead assets. Solar is an investment.
Labas ka ng pera and most banks have renewable energy programs, they
give loans. Solar is something you can loan, buy and you can pay for
that loan through the electricity savings you make. And with a warranty
na 25 years, in the long run, this spells bigger savings. Mahal lang
yung una,” Lee said.
A solar homeowner himself
and the President of German-owned solar technology developer Maschinen
& Technik, Inc. (MATEC) Dr. Inq Günter G. Matschuck explained
further that “solar power is not a stand-alone power. Solar looks at the
imported power, clones it into the voltage, and acts as a source of
additional power.”
Matshuck also emphasized that unlike oil reserves, which we have limited reserves of, the sun is constant.
Similarly, WWF-Philippines Vice Chair and CEO Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan said that the sun’s value is its predictability.
“There’s the rotating brownouts and the power outages in Mindanao. So
solar gives you predictability. Solar is liberation from the grid, and
solar will eventually define our progress. It should not be esoteric and
hard to understand. It’s time to get everyone in board,” Tan said in
his speech.
Most importantly, solar energy is clean energy. Thus, it is not harmful to our environment.
“You’re not getting your electricity from dirty coal anymore. There is no such thing as clean coal,” Lee said.
Taking inspiration from Germany’s Woche der Sonne (Week of the Sun),
Solar Day Pilipinas also featured performances from shadow play group
Anino, music by Kinaiya, Laya Ritmo, DJ Mael and other solar jammers.
Solar Day is set to be celebrated every year, during the last week of
April. PSPA also announced a Solar Summit this coming August, where they
will invite international speakers and solar components providers and
developers to share their technology and experiences. — TJD, GMA News
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