How to install a solar panel at home Archives - Solar Panels Philippines

DO YOU NEED BATTERIES FOR SOLAR?

REGINA ROME

Solar Digital Squad

Manila, Philippines

January 13, 2019

Do you need batteries for Solar?

Not necessarily, since there is Net Metering, where the utility readily gets the excess energy from solar installations and credits you for it — like a virtual battery. For the most part, however, our clients in the Philipines want solar panels for bill reduction purposes and to maximize investments. In such instances, the solar power system does NOT need a battery.

We do, however, have some discerning clients who want the redundancy and the reliability of instant backup power that a battery can provide during power outages. They also want to maximize excess solar harvest by storing them in batteries for evening consumption.

Lithium Batteries are part of our technological toolbox as we have clients who ask for their capabilities. Batteries are needed if you need your solar setup to run during a power outage. Batteries provide a buffer when the sun is not enough and loads have to be supplied with sustained energy. Starting to get common in upscale households who are building new homes without a diesel generator and having things backed up with a Mega Solaric UPS.

At Solaric, we have installed hundreds of setups with batteries for consumers and even fulfilled military contracts around the world with our battery tech. Yeah, we put batteries in systems that were not allowed to go down like RADAR or mission-critical communication systems. Our stuff is way beyond slapping a few Tesla power walls. We design custom systems that can run entire islands or radar facilities perpetually with no diesel, oil, or even grid.

For residential jobs, we have been putting out Lithium based batteries since 2016. Now we are introducing the SMILE Lithium battery hybrid system: a European design award winner and very popular in countries where the government actually pays the consumer to put in batteries to help manage the grid. It works like our regular grid-tie system but with a twist — a smart system that detects if there is excess power and diverts it proportionately to battery charging, before selling it to the utility for a discount. It also detects if the entire house is starting to use grid power and proportionately discharges the battery keeping grid power consumption to zero until the batteries run out. In times of calamities or power outages, it can supply a steady 5000w of critical loads until the batteries run out, and gets recharged by the sun the next day. It’s actually quite beneficial and self-sustaining if one only puts the essentials such as lights, fans, refrigerators, Wi-Fi on the always powered circuit.

We designed the system to be modular, battery capacities can be added by paralleling 5.7 kWh modules at a time and maxing out 15 kWh per inverter — or the capability to store 75% of a day’s sun harvest for brownout or peak time evening use.

These solar panels in the Philippines are installed and requested by those who are serious about planning for major earthquakes, typhoons, or dealing with areas with poor power availability.

Our lithium battery systems are not cheap, but they have a ten-year warranty on the battery components and are really milestones ahead in the market. We would also have to assess properly and ask some detailed questions about your appliances, budget, expectations, and the like.

Battery-based systems are more complex beasts. They cost about 40% to 70% more than our popular battery-less grid-tie systems. Yes, there is a price for peace — the price of having power in your house after a major storm, of having power during a blackout or earthquake. That in itself is priceless for most.

For more information on solar power systems and solar panel prices, click here.

For more information, please visit www.solaric.com.ph or email us at info@solaric.com.ph call 5040092 or 09178603141.

We will gladly explain to you how the system works, or schedule a survey, so we can give you options for your new home or existing homes or businesses.

At Solaric we Turn on the Sun.

Solaric is the leader in rooftop solar

Solaric has established its name across the renewable industry as a proven and reputable rooftop solar leader. Solaric has installed more than 50% of residential rooftop solar in the Philippines and has delivered significant cost reductions in electricity expenses, as well as milestone contributions to a cleaner, greener, and renewable future. Solaric is now zoning in on corporate and industrial projects to offer them the same cost reductions. Welcome to the new generation of solar and turning on the sun.

Regina Rome is a solar analyst with the Solar Digital Squad Research.

WHAT’S THE BUZZ ON SOLAR THIS 2019?

REGINA ROME

Solar Digital Squad

Manila, Philippines

January 13, 2019

What are the figures?

Statistics reveal that the total volume of annual deployed solar energy in the Philippines and in other countries will increase by 18% this year 2019, according to IHS Markit. The figure is an expectation of 123GW to be installed in 2019.

IHS Markit also indicated that Egypt, Argentina, Spain, South Africa, and Vietnam will deploy approximately 8.5GW of solar.

The two biggest solar markets in the world are the United States and China. In the last few years, China has been responsible for almost half of all solar installed globally. This year, that figure will decrease to one third. Despite these two nations stepping on the brakes and slowing down on solar, the estimated figure remains 123GW.

A recent report by Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables expects annual solar installations from 2023 onwards to rise to more than 14GW, compared to the 2018 figure of 11.1GW.

A peek at Cali

Starting year 2020, all new homes in California will be required to incorporate rooftop solar. This marked a historical and significant development for clean and renewable energy in the Sunshine State. This initiative alone is projected to reduce electrical costs by 53%, which translates to $1.7 billion in energy costs in the course of the next 30 years.

All new residences and major home renovations on buildings that are under three stories fall under the new regulation, effective January 1, 2020. The new rules apply specifically to all new residences and major home renovations on buildings under three stories, starting on January 1, 2020. In the event a building isn’t suitable for a rooftop array, the standards require homes have access to community solar or offset energy usage through additional efficiency gains, while some homes may be exempt.

In California, approximately 15,000 new homes are built each year that have solar panels installed, according to the CEC. When the new standards take effect, that number is expected to jump to around 100,000 new solar homes per year.

What is the energy agenda of the Philippines?

When will the Philippines require solar as part of home construction? This is the surefire way to normalize the technology for millions of Filipinos nationwide. There will be a significant, positive, lasting effect. It is about time for Filipinos to benefit from the efficiency of turning on the sun. The direct result would be enormous savings on utility bills, which average to Php8,000 monthly. That equates to about Php100,000 yearly, which can fund the tuition of a student in a private educational institution.

“The Philippines should require all new homes to be Net Zero Energy, which means they produce more energy than they consume. This would also mean their monthly electric bill would be Zero, hence the net-zero concept,” says Solaric President Mike De Guzman. “Imagine all houses and buildings to be net zero by 2030. That amounts to millions of pesos in savings, as well as a significant contribution to a safer and healthier planet — because of the reduced greenhouse gas emissions!”

For more information on solar power systems and solar panel prices, click here.

For more information, please visit www.solaric.com.ph or email us at info@solaric.com.ph call 5040092 or 09178603141.

We will gladly explain to you how solar systems and solar energy in the Philippines work, or schedule a survey, so we can give you options for your new home or existing homes or businesses.

At Solaric we Turn on the Sun.

Solaric is the leader in rooftop solar

Regina Rome is a solar analyst with the Solar Digital Squad Research.

GERRY LOVES HIS ZERO BILL

A Satisfied Solaric Client Shows Us His Solar Home

REGINA ROME
Solar Digital Squad
Manila, Philippines
December 21, 2018

In an exclusive, gated, private neighborhood of a quiet subdivision in the South, stands a majestic, beautiful, 500 square meter, 3-bedroom contemporary Filipino-style solar home. Solaric can absolutely deliver the Zero Bill promise. Just ask Gerry, another satisfied Solaric client.

The choice to go solar

In 2017, Gerry decided to install solar panels at home. He approached Solaric and they conducted a site inspection. His daily household appliances included a washing machine, dryer, two refrigerators, two water pumps, three television sets, 11 air conditioners, and a home theater. His electric bill amounted to an average of 10 to 11 thousand pesos each month. Solaric offered an array of solar options that would give him optimum power at the lowest cost. Gerry selected efficiency and long-term financial feasibility by having 40 rooftop solar panels installed (12 kilowatts).

The reward of going solar

A couple months after installing solar, Gerry received his first Zero Bill (total amount due of Php0.00 in his monthly electric bill).

“The moment the Net Metering kicked in, I got a Zero Bill. Then, all succeeding months were all zero bills!” exclaimed Gerry, as he showed us his stack of zero bills accumulated the past year.

All about the pogi points

When asked to discuss the profitability of his solar power system, Gerry paused for a moment’s reflection. “Yes, I’m able to save 10 to 11 thousand a month. But we don’t talk about ROI (return on investment) in these cases. Anong ROI in buying an expensive car? Pogi points!” Gerry laughs in amusement. “It’s really about utilizing whatever is renewable, and solar was the only thing that was feasible. I’ve been planning on installing solar even before the house was constructed.”

Zeroing in on the zero bill

Gerry brings the zero bill phenomenon unders a different light. “What does the zero bill mean to me? Sure, one part of it is about savings – I have a monthly electric bill that says zero. It makes everyone in the house scream with happiness. On the other hand, my investment pay-off is renewable energy. Sustainability. I care about the environment and the planet. This is my contribution to saving our future. That is what makes solar worth it!”

Leader in rooftop solar

For more information on solar power systems and solar panel prices, click here.

Visit this page, call +63.5040092, or email info@solaric.com.ph.

Regina Rome is a solar analyst with the Solar Digital Squad Research.

ONE ROOF AT A TIME

SOLARIC: THE LEADER IN RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR

REGINA ROME
Solar Digital Squad
Manila, Philippines
October 24, 2018

Total of 1,921

Solaric is always looking out for the interests of our nation. They install solar panels on roofs practically every day. They also teach others how to install a solar panel at home, through the popular Solar101 and Solar202 courses conducted by Solaric on one whole weekend each month. Additionally, the Founders of Solaric are constantly called on as key resource persons whenever clean and renewable energy is the topic of discussion – be it a corporate, government, school, or non-profit organization setting. As of September 10, 2018, there are 1,921 ERC recognized privately owned Net Metered solar installations nationwide. This is how many rooftops sell their excess power to the grid, via the Net Metering Program of Meralco, other distribution utilities, and electric cooperatives.

The bigger picture

That is an equivalent of 15.21 MegaWatt peak of privately installed solar panels. To give a perspective for the non-energy industry people, a barrel of crude oil is $88 a barrel. It contains 1,700 kWh of energy potential. The 15.21 MW of solar panel capacity from these 1,921 homes and businesses SAVE our country the need of importing 14,900 barrels of oil a year, or 367 thousand barrels of oil in its 25-year economic life. If you put those oil barrels along a straight line, it is longer than EDSA and truly an exercise of people power (no political meaning intended).

Why do Filipinos install solar?

It’s simple and straightforward: they want to SAVE MONEY. For most people, it’s about savings. Installing a solar power system is a minimal investment. It costs nothing to power a solar panel, because the sun is free. The return on investment is less than 5 years, for a system that lasts 25 years. It is a sensible and win-win business decision. For other people, they want to save the environment, because one kW of solar is equivalent to one barrel of oil a year. To put things in perspective, 2,000 solar installations is equivalent to a boat load of coal.

Solaric and Net Metering

Solaric takes great pride in participating in the Net Metering Program. It is a seed that was planted by government policy, and further nurtured by utilities, solar installers, homeowners, business owners and local government units to make a reality. It is something that various entities have been working and collaborating on every day for the last five years.

The first house on net metering

Solaric first started net metering with its Founder’s home in 2013. It was the first house to sell solar power back to the grid, with Peak Off Peak (POP) Net Meter Serial Number #00001. Solaric clients fell in love with the fact that batteries were no longer needed, because surplus energy can now be traded for “credits”. This was a nationwide win that was actually one of the rewards of the renewable energy law.

Game plan

“Solaric still has a lot of work to do. If the Philippines does its part to reverse climate change, we need to install at least 300 MegaWatts a year of solar rooftop,” said Mike De Guzman, President of Solaric Corporation.

The vision is promising in as much as it is inspiring. The solar revolution is just getting started. It is, in fact, true: 1,921 installations is just the very beginning.

For more information on solar power systems and solar panel prices, click here.

Visit this page or call +63.5040092, or email info@solaric.com.ph.

Regina Rome is a solar analyst with the Solar Digital Squad Research.

THE SOLAR SHOW WILL BE HELD IN THE PHILIPPINES: MAY 20-21, 2019 AT THE SMX

REGINA ROME
Solar Digital Squad
Manila, Philippines
October 15, 2018

Let’s talk about why solar is everywhere

Solar energy is taking the lead in providing renewable energy to countries all over the planet. An article in The Economist in 2010 cited that 1.5 billion people, an equivalent to more than 1/5 of the world’s population, currently have no access to electricity. Another billion have an unreliable supply of electric power. Can you imagine what will happen once they know how to install a solar panel at their homes?

The United Nations estimated that an average of $35 to $45 billion must be invested until 2030, just so everyone in the world can cook and light their homes. Unfortunately, according to the International Energy Agency, at the current rate we are going, the statistics show that they will most likely remain the same, and by year 2030, 16% of the world’s population will still have no access to electricity.

Hot in here

Our planet is hot. It is heating up as the horrifying reality of global warming is beginning to take its toll. Global trends in solar energy indicate that developing countries will continue to lead in renewable energy investments. The planet needs solutions and the people need to implement them fast.

The solar future

The Philippines has a 105 million population and an ever-growing economy. Today, approximately 16 million Filipinos live without electric power access. Solar statistical figures show that the goal is for 7,000 MW of power generation capacity to be added in the Philippines in the next five years. By 2030, power generation capacity will be double. The Philippines has targeted a goal of 70% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030. The target for renewable energy is 15.3 GW.

Those are our nation’s clean, sustainable, renewable energy goals. With its fast-growing market and its steady shift towards renewable energy technologies, the Philippines has zeroed in on solar. The Philippines is looking towards a solar future.

The Solar Show

The Solar Show is slated to be the largest energy event in the Philippines. Now on its sixth year, the show is a collaboration of more than 8,000 stakeholders, which include policymakers, industry leaders, regulators, government officials, international energy experts, and world class technology professionals. The Solar Show includes a comprehensive exhibition displaying the latest technologies and innovative solutions available today in the energy industry.

Conference

The two-day event will host eight conferences with more than 200 presentations. Latest industry trends and developments will be provided, along with innovative and technology opportunities in solar.

Source: smxconventioncenter.com

Exhibition

The Solar Show will feature more than 250 organizations in its exhibition across two floors, which will provide a wide array and comprehensive display of the latest products and services in the solar industry.

Networking

Most importantly, the Solar Show will take solar enthusiasts, government officials, utility professionals, power producers, project developers, energy solution providers, renewable experts, and investors, from different parts of the globe, together for the event, in order to create partnerships, connections, and business opportunities.

For more information on the Solar Show at the SMX Convention Center on May 20 and 21, 2019, you may click here!

Regina Rome is a solar analyst with the Solar Digital Squad Research.

WiRA x PSSEA REGIONAL GALA NIGHT ON NOVEMBER 13 AT BELLEVUE ALABANG

REGINA ROME
Solar Digital Squad
Manila, Philippines
October 13, 2018

Manila, Philippines – On November 13, 2018, at 6:00 PM, the Grand Ballroom of the Bellevue Manila Alabang will be the venue of the black tie Regional Gala Night of Women in Renewables Asia (WiRA) and the Philippine Solar and Storage Energy Alliance (PSSEA), with the theme: “Brewing New Talents for Future Energy Transition”.

What is WiRA?
On July 2, 2018, the founding ceremony of Women in Renewables Asia was staged in Shanghai, China. Over 50 advocates, leaders, and supporters attended the event, with the synergistic intention of advancing the role and recognition of women in the energy sector. They joined hands to foster gender diversity and pride in women. The attendees committed to build a comprehensive platform for the renewable energy females, whether executives or employees, so that they gain access to tools and skills that can ensure their personal and professional success.

What is PSSEA?
The Philippine Solar and Storage Energy Alliance is a non-profit organization founded in 2010 and formerly known as the Philippine Solar Power Alliance. PSSEA is known for being highly active in policy consultations on Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Renewable Energy Law. The organization aims to harness the power of solar energy by reducing its risks, maximizing solar PV development in the Philippines, teaching more people on how to install a solar panel at homes and businesses, and attracting investments to drive us towards a solar-powered Philippines.

Celebrate and empower
The WiRA x PSSEA Regional Gala Night aims to connect the region’s women executives with like-minded peers in the nation’s renewable industry. The gala will serve to provide a platform where the voices of females will be heard. Their ideas will be considered. Their opinions will matter.

This night is an opportunity for hundreds of other initiatives, programs, and partnerships that will improve industry diversity and efficiency. That translates to overall bottom line productivity and adoption of innovative and new technologies. The benefits are endless. Professional women from across the energy sector now have substantial industry support.

“That one night is a modern representation of incredibly substantial industry support and women empowerment. It goes without saying that I admire the people behind WiRA and PSSEA. They address today’s social challenges. At the same time, and more importantly, they advocate and champion us women,” said Solaric Vice President Jade De Guzman.

The WiRA x PSSEA Regional Gala Night on November 13, 2018 also plans to define a workout plan using collective wisdom from the people behind the Asian renewable sector.

Regina Rome is a solar analyst with the Solar Digital Squad Research.

THE SEA PRINCESS TALKS TO SOLARIC ABOUT GOING GREEN

REGINA ROME
Solar Digital Squad
Manila, Philippines
October 13, 2018

Who is the Sea Princess?

Everybody who’s anybody knows exactly who Tessa Prieto-Valdes is. The celebrity, socialite, columnist, fashion designer, trendsetter, athlete, and philanthropist. That legendary icon with the colorful hats and lashes, with a gregarious and flamboyant signature in the world of fashion. On October 9, 2018, the Sea Princess extraordinaire graced the Solaric Headquarters, where we usually teach guests how to install a solar panel at their homes, with her presence.

A green cause

The Philippines is going strong about going green. Even the biggest real estate developers and our government leaders are concerned about environmental consciousness. Sustainable design and structure rule the game and the word is out that to ensure a bright future, we all have to find our way to live a green lifestyle. All this brings us to one common path towards a greener future. That is precisely one of the advocacies of the Sea Princess.

The sun is green

Going solar is about going green. Learning how to install a solar panel at home is one of the more fundamental ways that anyone can do to shift to a greener lifestyle. Through an array of photovoltaic cells, sunlight is converted to electricity. This has become the most affordable and cost-efficient green technology of this era.

Tell me the benefits

As the camera men maneuvered their way around the Solaric Headquarters in Chino Roces Extension, Makati, Tessa sat down with Solaric President Mike De Guzman, and tackled the highlights and benefits of solar power.

“Energy from the sun is unlimited, and that’s a fact for another 5 billion years,” said Mike, as he talked about providing clean energy with no greenhouse gas emissions. He went on to discuss the more important issues to address when it comes to investing in a solar power system. “Using solar energy is absolutely green and rewarding,” he added. “With solar, you save money. You save the environment. You are cost-efficient. You avoid increasing power costs. You increase your property value. You assume a dual role by being a consumer and a producer of power.”

Tessa takes the green vision to heart

Jade De Guzman, Vice President of Solaric, went on to share her passion and advocacy with Tessa for healthy, clean air, and the eco-friendly advantages of turning on the sun. “Solaric is now zoning in on renewable energy technology and products more intensively. We are expanding our operations and establishing a stronger foothold in the country’s fast-growing solar energy market.”

“I imagine a country with numerous sprawling solar power plants, stretching across hectares of land throughout the archipelago. These solar plants have the capability of storing electricity generated during the day, which are then sold to consumers at night.” As the costs for solar power equipment and materials decrease, visions and realities are finally intersecting.

“Energy from solar is now cheaper than energy from a new gas burning power plant,” emphasized Mike, as he went on to show the #ZeroBill phenomena that Solaric launched three years ago.

The Solaric green light

“Solaric’s vision is very straightforward. In an ideal world, we want to convert all buildings to green buildings. We want all newly constructed homes to install solar. In ten years, I envision all houses in exclusive subdivisions to be on solar. By year 2030, majority of the nation’s energy should be derived from renewable energy sources. Only then can we have a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable Philippines,” said Mike.

With advocates like Tessa Prieto-Valdes and the Founders of Solaric who are clamoring for a green Philippines, we can only hope that this reality is exactly what is in store for us.

Regina Rome is a solar analyst with the Solar Digital Squad Research.