By Bernadette Andrea Catalan
Photos by ac brizuela
Independent global organization Greenpeace sets the record straight on the efficiency, affordability and reliability of solar energy in a bid to encourage more people to switch to renewable energy sources.
Through the Solar Rooftop Challenge, an information campaign that highlights the potentials of producing solar power, the environment-focused organization held lectures and discussions by book author and Center for Renewable Electricity Strategies (CREST) Executive Director Roberto Verzola and Sustainable Energy and Enterprise Development for Communities Executive Director Dann Diez.
Solar energy is a renewable energy that uses the heat of the sun to produce direct current through solar panels and is converted by the PV (Photovoltaic) Inverter for efficient use. The PV Inverter maximizes the power that can be extracted from the panel as it can be sometimes inconsistent because it depends on the light the sun gives off. It also prioritizes solar panel output so that it can be more utilized efficiently.
“This is actually the cheapest source of electricity today,” asserted Verzola.
Solar energy, once installed, is stand alone producer of energy that does not require electricity. It eliminates generation charge, transmission charge, distribution charge, supply charge, metering charge, system loss charge and universal charge.
Since all you need to pay is the amortization of solar panel, the CREST official said it is the “Only renewable device that is accessible to the poor.”
“The future is very bright. There’s still a lot of room for improvement and price reduction,” added Verzola.
Currently, solar panel efficiency for products in the market has reached 20 percent, while solar panel products in the state of research and production have already reached 40 percent.
“We want to be part of the action,” emphasized Verzola.
By using renewable energy like solar power, energy consumers become the producer of their own electricity. For this matter, they become proactive members of the greening of the planet.
“For all the Filipinos out there, please support solar energy. It’s healthy, not only for you but for our entire country,” Jasmine Curtis, one of the solar champions, encouraged.
In his talk, Diez meanwhile shared his experience with Project Enkindle. Project Enkindle demonstrates a collaborative approach, providing access to clean and renewable energy to island-based and mountain communities.
“It is a stewardship. We go to the community, we lend it (materials) to them. Graduates of solar training installed their own solar rooftop in three days,” explained Diez.
At present, Project Enkindle has benefited over 150 communities including the Manobo Tribe in Mindanao.