Solar panels in the Philippines

[lordna]

Why doesnt anybody use solar PV panels in the Philippines? You would think the amount of Brown outs they would use them more. Anybody know why or got info on using them?

If and when i build in the Philippines, i would like to use them.

[lastlid]

I gather they are quite well up on the technology.....some boat eh?

The cells were made in the Philippines

"The ship is exclusively powered by 38,000 high-efficiency solar cells all produced in the Philippines at the manufacturing facilities of SunPower Corp. Already, it has won two accolades – the fastest crossing of the Atlantic by a solar-powered vessel and the longest distance covered by a solar-powered electric vehicle, according to WWF."

http://technology.inquirer.net/2735/philippine-made-batteries-propel-solar-powered-vessel


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrCTDam8gn4

[lastlid]

A thread on the topic some time ago.

http://filipinaroses.com/showthread.php/39267-Solar-Powered-Car-Made-in-the-Philippines?highlight=solar

[lastlid]

And an article on rooftop solar panels in October this year.

"German and Philippine solar technology developers are pushing for a massive installation of solar panels on rooftops of households, commercial establishments and buildings as these could help ensure the country’ energy security over the long term.
“As we enter 2013, we would like to focus on the solar rooftops because we believe this is going to be a major initiative by the [solar] industry in providing solutions to our problems in the energy sector,” said Theresa Cruz-Capellan, one of the founders of the Philippine Solar Power Alliance (PSPA)."

http://business.inquirer.net/85370/use-of-rooftop-solar-panels-in-philippines-pushed

[BoholoX]

The RP is catching up with the technology - its so obvious solar panels and water heaters would work well near the tropics. Quite a few companies advertise in the national newspapers now based in Manila and Cebu, often european managed. My mate had two water tanks, one covered over providing 'cool water', the other painted black with a long black hose pipe - instant and free hot water all day.

[lastlid]

The RP is catching up with the technology - its so obvious solar panels and water heaters would work well near the tropics. Quite a few companies advertise in the national newspapers now based in Manila and Cebu, often european managed. My mate had two water tanks, one covered over providing 'cool water', the other painted black with a long black hose pipe - instant and free hot water all day.

I saw that sort of thing in the middle east. :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[lastlid]

Tokelau islands shift to solar energy

"Tokelau has become the first territory able to meet all its electricity needs with solar power, officials say.

The South Pacific territory - comprising the three atolls of Atafu, Nukunonu and Fakaofo - had been dependent on diesel to generate electricity.

New Zealand, which administers Tokelau, funded a $7m (£4.3m) solar project.

Solar grids were constructed on the three atolls, with the last completed earlier this week.

"The Tokelau Renewable Energy Project is a world first. Tokelau's three main atolls now have enough solar capacity, on average, to meet electricity needs," New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said in a statement.

"Until now, Tokelau has been 100% dependent upon diesel for electricity generation, with heavy economic and environmental costs," he added.

Project co-ordinator Mike Basset-Smith said that the move represented a "milestone of huge importance" for Tokelau, as it would now be able to spend more on social welfare.

The remote islands of Tokelau lie between New Zealand and Hawaii.

Most of the 1,500 islanders live by subsistence farming, with thousands of others choosing to settle in New Zealand or neighbouring Samoa."


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20233754

[tiger31]

the average phiippino will never be able to afford solar power for a long long time .

[lastlid]

Here's another thread on the topic. I guess it is one of those topics that doesnt capture the imagination of many forum members. If I was going to live in the Philippines it would certainly be a topic I would be more than curious about.

http://filipinaroses.com/showthread.php/28618-Buying-a-Solar-Panel-in-Cebu-City-or-Island?highlight=solar

[lordna]

Here's another thread on the topic. I guess it is one of those topics that doesnt capture the imagination of many forum members. If I was going to live in the Philippines it would certainly be a topic I would be more than curious about.

http://filipinaroses.com/showthread.php/28618-Buying-a-Solar-Panel-in-Cebu-City-or-Island?highlight=solar

lastlid thanks for that. As i trained as an electrician ii am also very keen to install solar panels myself once we build a house to put them on!

[jake]

Bit of a late reply due to my 'great' internet connection hear in the Philippines. Due to the high cost of electricity here i have done quite bit of research into solar panels and come to the conclusion that it wouldn't be cost effective unless i live to be 250 years old:NoNo:
Hopefully in time it will become less expensive.

[fred]

Ive got some solar lights in the garden now...The locals wouldnt touch them as they think they are wired in live..
CDR king do a few solar lamps (http://www.cdrking.com/?mod=products&type=view&sid=8550&main=141)and a solar energy kit (http://www.cdrking.com/?mod=products&type=view&sid=12353&main=1) and Ive seen panels complete with inverters for about 15k in Manila.
A quick look on Sulit and saw a 100 watts Solar Panel 12,000.00 w/2 year Factory Warranty..
Depends what you want to run off it but the one like below would definately light up the whole house and much of the garden with LED lights.. The 3 watt LED bulbs I bought produce the equivelent of about 50 watts each.
http://cdn.sulitstatic.com/images/2012/0830/091916886_091607903b4775156da2a7e0eabfb50d9548e256d251a863c.jpg

[fred]

Heres a 3000 watt system (http://www.sulit.com.ph/index.php/view+classifieds/id/4961119/3000+Watts+Home+Solar+System?event=Classified+Ads,Related+Ads,6) for 7,500 (ish) Quid..
That would run just about everything I require..
So if the system works ok for 13 years I would get my money back..Perhaps sooner considering future power increases.. Plus brownout free..
Systems like these can probably be found a lot cheaper if researched properly.
That said,I really dont know how long these systems are designed to last in reality... Im guessing the batteries may have to be replaced every 5 years or so.. Not sure.

[jake]

The problem is a 100w panel will only produce a very small percentage of the electricity most households use. We use about 10kw and to produce that that amount the initial set up cost would be about 2 to 3 million pesos. Panels only have a certain lifespan and it would probably be less in the Philippines due to the varying weather conditions.
Also there is no grid tie system here which means if you went solar you would have to remove yourself from the main grid.
Will be dropping into CDR King to get a couple of those solar lights for the garden

[jake]

Do you know the brand? You buy first and let me know how well it works:smile:

[fred]

Jake...Our last few bills have been around 1,800 as Ive not needed A/C.. With costs like that I dont think I`ll bother.. Im more interested on lighting up a hectare of land with lots of 2 watt 12 volt bulbs for starters..

[jake]

Ours would be about the same if the kids would switch of there air con at nights and learn to switch of the lights once they are no longer in the room. That's not going to happen! At our business we use about 10,000php worth of electricity using 3 different meters in the same building. Works out a bit cheaper doing it that way.
Hopefully the price and durability of solar panels will continue to decrease and we can look at it again in the near future.