solar panel installation philippines Archives - Page 3 of 8 - Solar Panels Philippines

How to Start Living a Sustainable Life

People have a preconceived notion that living a sustainable life is a difficult task that is not worth the time and effort, but it is completely the opposite. One reason for this judgment may come from their personal idea of sustainable living.

Some people think going green means opting for solar panel installation in the Philippines; others think it entails giving up meat and going vegan. These two are examples of behaviors you can adopt in order to live a sustainable life. They’re just that – examples.

Going green is not limited to these two things so if you really want to live a sustainable life, then check out the infographic below. We’ll be giving you some ideas on how to do so and you’ll see how easy it actually is!

4 Intangible Benefits of Solar Energy

What are the intangible benefits of solar energy?

Solar energy reduces pollution.
Solar energy can mitigate climate changes.
Solar energy helps preserve our resources.
Solar energy leads to better health outcomes.

Many have looked into solar panel installation in the Philippines and many more have considered switching to solar energy. The reason for this is the many financial benefits it offers.

Solar energy has been known to reduce a single household’s electric bill by a significant amount. There are also instances when a property’s value increased due to it being equipped with panels. When you factor these benefits in with the current price of solar panels, you can see why they’re worth the investment. Not only does it save you money, it also helps you profit in the long run.

However, solar energy has more benefits beyond these monetary ones. Benefits that people rarely talk about because they’re hard to quantify and no one can put a price on them. If you wish to know about these intangible benefits, then we suggest you continue reading.

Solar Energy Prevents Pollution

The energy sector is responsible for emitting a ton of harmful gases in the atmosphere. These emissions occur when they burn fossil fuels to generate electricity. A lot of these gases are key air pollutants such as particulate matter, nitrous oxide, and Sulphur dioxide. Solar energy, on the other hand, can produce sufficient energy with practically zero emissions.

Another type of pollution that solar energy can prevent is water pollution. The ability to lessen and prevent water pollution is one of the biggest environmental benefits that solar energy has to offer. Unfortunately, it is also the one people talk about the least. Solar energy, unlike traditional biomass and geothermal power plants, does not pollute local water supplies resources nor does it strain local water supplies.

Solar Energy Can Mitigate Climate Change

As said before, greenhouse gases and air pollutants aren’t produced when solar energy is used to generate electricity. Although small amounts are emitted during the installation and manufacture of solar energy systems, it is ten times less than what standard coal-fueled power plants emit.

Studies have also indicated that switching to solar energy could cut 100 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions yearly. And you can only imagine how good this would be for our ecosystem and how big of a weapon it is in our fight against climate change.

Solar Energy Helps Preserve Our Resources

Our natural resources are slowly but surely depleting; that is the reality we are facing today. It may look like we have an abundance of fossil fuels, which are non-renewable, but we will eventually run out. And by the time we’ve run out, we’ve damaged our environment and financial infrastructures beyond repair.

This is where solar energy comes in. Solar energy, unlike fossil fuels, is a renewable resource, meaning we have an infinite supply. The sun produces 173,000 terawatts of solar energy every second and that is ten thousand times the amount of the world’s total energy use.

Solar Energy Leads to Better Health Outcomes

When you combine all the previous points, it results in a better, less polluted environment, which will undoubtedly improve the health of each and every individual. We’ll have fresher air to breathe, safer water to drink, and on overall healthier environment.

Additionally, by using solar energy, we can stop depending on fossil fuels which is the root cause of most types of pollution.

Key Takeaway

When you’re considering solar panel installation in the Philippines, it’s so easy to think about its tangible benefits and use that to weigh things out. In fact, your first thought is probably how solar energy can ease your finances and how can you make your money back after switching to solar energy?

While that’s all good and wise, solar energy offers far greater benefits than that. Beyond these tangible and quantifiable benefits are intangible ones that most people fail to recognize. And most of it affects our environment and health—things that are far more important than money.

Solar Home Economics 101

Every day, we get the question“How Much?” or “HM?” This is a very easy question and often is asked without the use of a vowel to solve a once inescapable problem of paying high electric bills. “HM po?” goes through a systematic process for a proper answer. There is no such thing as an ordinary house or a typical bungalow, so bear with us if we are makulit. We just want to make sure we give you the right answers in regards to solar panel installation in your Philippine home.

Here is the step-by-step process on how we figure out the answer to “HM?”

Consumption

What is your consumption? The kWh used per month or the monthly bill would give you the gross consumption. We profile how much energy or kuryente is used during daytime hours vs. nighttime hours. Of course, solar is very effective during daytime hours because it can directly displace utility or “kuntador kuryente”.

Second is nighttime consumption. What appliances do you turn on during the night, how many air cons are on, etc.? For ethical reasons, we would not suggest using your air con on lead acid batteries at night, since it is a false economy build;unless, of course, if you live on an off-grid location or the Spratley Islands.

We then take this into account and start crunching numbers. For the old school people out there, we use Net Metering vs. batteries to offset night consumption since it’s 3x cheaper to generate energy from solar than to store it. Batteries last a fraction as long as a solar panel so we do not even use it for savings. We’d rather opt for banking surplus production during daytime hours via Net Metering.

Net Metering

It is a special meter that the Utility Provider has to install to comply with National Law, specifically RA 9513 Sec 10. If your house has surplus solar energy, the utility has to purchase the excess energy. The net metering process is complex for the average homeowner to process, and even smaller solar outfits have a hard time on its documentary and rigid technical standards. Solaric handles the Net Metering process and advises you on estimated costs as your home has to be updated to latest electrical codes. Each job is wired differently, so costs vary.

We do not disconnect the Utility as they are there to give you power at night and buy your surplus power at day. We simply integrate solar power with existing wiring. Solaric customers become Prosumers of grid power—consumers who also produce and sell back their excess power.

Sizing

We look at the roof of your house, factory, or facility, either through Google maps or site survey; the only actual limiting factors for solar are the amount of unshaded roof space and budget.

From our online tech survey or actual field visit, we can see how many solar panels we can fit and determine the best yielding sides of your roof.

Our default strategy is to install enough solar to offset normal daytime loads (sub 5 year ROI) and if the client wants more aggressive bill reduction, we can put more solar to cover night time loads. This will ZERO out the bill or result in a negative electric bill—so you can buy that Tesla.

The most common concern is how much solar is needed to run the air con and the usual appliances, such as ref and fan. To answer this question, that would be a 1.62 kWp installation at Php140K. To the industrial installation solar, we put in the Big Boy Solar, the one that wipes out hundreds of thousands of pesos from a colossal electric bill.

Quotation

We do bill analysis of usage patterns: Day vs. night usage and available roof space, then suggest build sizes with approximate savings. Our solar engineers will go over various build options (e.g. Philippines vs. China vs. Korea panels), installation locations, and long term impact of electric bills. Solaric has the widest range of build options and, of course, we offer the best prices. From there, we can come up with Return on Investment calculations. This can range anywhere from 3 to 6 years ROI or even faster if electricity rates increase.

And that is when we can finally tell you “HM?” We will even tell you in great detail, using vowels, numbers, and all that.

Key Takeaway

In the Philippines, solar panels and their installation are not cheap nor are they for the financially impatient, but they will generate returns that are easily 5x more than its initial investment. Solaric DIY packages for less than P30k make it an even better investment than a smartphone.

Solaric has been systematically reducing electric bills and making the Philippines a greener place by enabling thousands of homes and businesses to say no to coal by putting red hot high electric bills on the deep freeze and by showing global warming who the real boss is.

For more information, visit this link or email info@solaric.com.ph. You may also call us at 02 5040092 for seasonal specials or to schedule surveys.

Death of Coal Industry Due to Growing Solar Systems in the Philippines?

What is the difference between coal and solar?

Coal is cheaper in terms of energy content, however is expensive in terms of chemical emissions that lead to environmental and human health problems.
Solar is a sustainable power source that do not emit harmful chemicals, however is still being developed further considering its issues with power generation during night time.

Solar systems has the Philippines and the rest of the world blown away for being a feasible power source in the long term. It was able to eliminate the side effects that other power sources had, notably carbon dioxide emissions that was causing harm to the environment. With Philippine solar systems starting to take the spotlight, does this mean that coal mining in the Philippines is now doomed?

What is coal?

Coal, also known as fossil fuel, has been the primary source of energy worldwide. It is either a combustible black or brown sedimentary rock made of organic carbon. It is commonly found as layers or veins, and are either mined through surface mining or underground mining.

While it has been found to be a cost-efficient power source for its energy content, it also plays as a catalyst in common environmental issues for emitting carbon dioxide. Aside from being a main contributor to climate change, large amounts of carbon dioxide in the air also declines the oxygen supply for breathing. This causes major health complications that can lead to unconsciousness, convulsion, or death. The process also exposes miners to several health and safety hazards.

How does solar differ from coal?

Both solar and coal are found to be cheap in terms of costing, however, they differ largely on emissions and availability.

Emissions

The disadvantages of coal-sourced electricity was often overlooked due to its cheap price. However, using fossil fuel has caused the emission of various chemical components that harm the environment and contributes to major calamities around the world. Among these include carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide:

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is emitted when burning coal. It’s considered harmful to humans and the environment given that it cuts the oxygen supply for breathing, leading to major respiratory issues.
Sulfur dioxide is emitted by coal-fired power plants. It plays a huge role for acid rain as when it goes up high in the atmosphere and comes in contact with water, it returns to earth as rain with sulfur acid content.

Solar energy, on the other hand, do not emit any emissions on its power generation process.

Availability

The initial availability of coal globally led to its regular consumption. It was basically available 24/7 and is not affected by cloud cover unlike solar thus becoming one of the main sources of energy.

Meanwhile, solar currently cannot generate the same efficiency with the presence of cloud cover. Moreover, it cannot produce power during night time given that it relies highly on the sun.

Will solar take over coal in the near future?

According to Bloomberg’s report, solar reliance is growing faster than any other energy source. This means that carbon dioxide pollution could possibly be eliminated by 2026. By 2040, it is expected that solar costs will fall by 67% in the US and 85% in Japan, and that 34% of electricity will come from wind and solar power sources. This may mean that we are nearing the fall of the coal industry around the world.

Key Takeaway

If solar systems in the Philippines and the rest of the world takes over coal, we can expect that it could cause the world at an advantage. After all, it’s a healthy, sustainable power source. The carbon dioxide as led by coal mining in the Philippines should soon decline resulting to a greener environment in the near future. We hope it’s not too late!

Goodwill’s Price! Solar Panels in Philippine Hospitals

How does solar help hospitals?

It helps reduce utility bills.
It provides an alternative when the country faces energy crisis.
It helps reduce carbon dioxide emissions which harms the society.

The reduced solar panel price in the Philippines and around the world has surprised many. Nevertheless, it brought convenience and happiness to the people. It helped reduce the usual utility bills of both homeowners and commercial establishments, and offer an alternative power source to remote areas which often face struggles when it comes to electricity supply. In the Philippines, this renewable energy has not only changed the way people consume power, but also health institutions and hospitals. A feasible alternative considering the tested stability and efficiency of said power source.

2015: Calamba Doctor’s Hospital, Calamba, Laguna

Going back to year 2015, Calamba, Laguna made headlines of a huge integration of solar panels in one of its private hospitals. Perhaps, it was the largest renewable energy system in the Philippines to power a hospital during that time.

The Calamba Doctor’s Hospital uses solar energy along with wind energy to supply 20% of its power requirements through a partnership with Orion Group International. The administration and their investors aim to go green and augment their power supply especially that the year 2015 was forecasted to experience energy crisis during the year. Also, the said integration was expected to lessen the hospital’s utility bill from Php 800,000-1,000,000 to Php 160,000-200,000 at maximum. In return, however, the hospital will also pay Php 16,500,000 for the installed renewable energy system where 10% goes to the deposit, while the left 90% will be paid over the next 5 years.

2016: Castro Maternity Hospital and Medical Center, Baliuag, Bulacan

Another life-changing integration of solar system in the Philippines is Castro Maternity Hospital and Medical Center’s. It was a step by step process which ultimately resulted into a good 50KW of pure solar power source.

In partnership with Meister Solar, the said health institution held a solar system atop its roof top where the angle is best situated. This helped the hospital reduce its electricity bills with Php 727,650 as savings every year. More so, it helped lessen 40 tons of carbon dioxide emissions at best, thereby allowing the hospital to contribute to the green advocacy of producing clean energy.

How does the renewable energy system guarantee them?

Solar is the most stable renewable energy source, yet. Hence, the said investment of the Calamba Doctor’s Hospital on solar-wind system and Castro Maternity Hospital and Medical Center cannot be questioned. It has proven time and time again of its lifespan especially with quality panels installed. The solar panel price in the Philippines, most especially, is a huge advantage considering its cost-efficiency. The said Philippine renewable energy system is expected to last for at least 25 years at maximum.

Key Takeaway

Every solar investor has their own unique story, however amongst others, hospitals remain to be the most heartwarming. The benefits that hospitals and other health institutions can gain from solar does not only guarantee savings but also the stability of this power source to provide for their energy needs. Furthermore, it helps promote clean and green renewable source to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Is Solar System the Fastest Growing Energy Source?

What made the solar system the fastest growing energy source?

It’s limitless and smartly produced.
It’s earning a huge consumer base.
It has significant drop in costs.
It’s efficient overall.

Solar systems in the Philippines are the new source of energy; it’s efficient, less expensive, and profitable if you’re selling the house. Solar panels have proven its perks since being released in the market, and has provided people a new way to conserve energy and reserve other sources of power to minimize the supply. Today, the increasing demand for this renewable energy source has rapidly increased.

It’s limitless and smartly produced.

The way solar systems in the Philippines are sold, one can say that the said source of power has limitless possibilities. After all, it’s the sun! But what about when it rains? This is where human intervention makes a plausible discovery of arranging the energy production. You can attach a battery to save a handful of energy for the rainy season or enroll for the metering program.

It’s earning a huge consumer base.

With all of the benefits provided by having a solar system in the Philippines, there should be no question as to how the consumer base has grown in the past couple of years. Both residences and businesses are known to use solar energy, an evidence that people trust solar. More so, it has no harmful effects on people and comparatively minimal damage to the environment which makes it a wise choice for everyone.

There has been a significant drop in costs.

India, China, USA, and many others – these has been the regions where there are reported drop in solar costs. You get to pay $0.65 cents for a watt in India, $0.78 cents in the US, and much cheaper in the UK. Japan, on the other hand, maintains a feasible price of $2.07 given its natural calamity risks such as the strong wind, constant earthquakes, and the mountainside erosion that affects the whole engineering process. It’s a positive thing for most consumers, given that it won’t be hard to install a solar system in any Philippine house today. These solar panels in houses do not only bring about a good supply of energy, but it also allows you to save from expensive utility grid billings every now and then for a smaller installation price.

So, is solar the fastest growing energy source?

According to the International Energy Agency, solar energy is now the fastest growing source of power. This was due to its ground-breaking record of accounting for almost ⅔ of net capacity around the world. The said growth was said to be a courtesy of the on-going popularity of solar panel installations especially in China. Moreover, the recent expansion in the US has also led to the said region being recognized as the second largest market for solar systems. In the Philippines, one can say that the recent ventures of various big companies are also contributing to the growth of this renewable source of energy.

Key Takeaway

The growing expansion of solar panels in houses and commercial establishments caused a huge impact in the industry. Thus, solar gaining recognition for being the fastest growing source of energy amongst its peers, wind, coal, and fossil among many others. It can be said that this achievement has truly made a wonderful exposure for using solar systems as an alternative sustainable source of energy.

Top Ventures on Solar Systems in the Philippines

What are the top ventures on solar systems in the Philippines in 2017?

PetroGreen Energy Corporation’s 10 MW solar park in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
First Toledo Solar Energy Corporation’s 60 MW solar farm in Tuledo, Southwestern Cebu.

As residential and commercial establishment owners continue to venture onto solar systems in the Philippines, so as the progress of the solar power projects in the country. Various business owners have tried and succeeded their ventures on said renewable energy source, hence, the continuous efforts on making the turnover of utility grid usage to solar systems.

In this article, we’ll discuss about the 2017 ventures on solar systems in the Philippines.

PETROGREEN ENERGY CORPORATION (PGEC)

PetroGreen Energy Corporation (PGEC) is a subunit of the Philippine oil company, PetroEnergy. Earlier this year, it was reported that the said subunit was granted with an environmental clearance for its solar system project located in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

What is the project about?

PGEC is to build a photovoltaic/solar power station also referred to as solar farm or solar park. It is a large-scale solar system designed for augmenting merchant power into the utility grid, and of which, are often scaled in megawatts (MW).

What is the aim?

According to a company statement, PGEC envisions the planned 10 MW solar park to be the first green and renewable source of energy in the city of Puerto Princesa and the entirety of Palawan.

Is it feasible?

Amongst others, Palawan remains to be a locality where energy source is limited hence supported by diesel energy source. This very reason could hinder Palawan from its potentials of growing into an urban city. With its reputation over the world due to its widely known tourist spots and natural attractions, the project being prepared by PGEC is a feasible and long-term solution for its energy source problem.

Not only will Palawan get the support that its community needs, but also an environment-friendly source of energy that will not put nature in danger.

FIRST TOLEDO SOLAR ENERGY CORPORATION (FTSEC)

First Toledo Solar Energy Corporation (FTSEC), sister company of Citicore Power, has been granted support loan by Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) for its 60 MW solar farm project in Toledo City, Southwestern Cebu and is now distributing green energy source to the utility grid.

What is the project about?

Similar to PGEC, FTSEC has proposed a solar farm project to support the energy source of the locality and meet the needs of the people. Also, it aims to contribute energy supply to the grid, and promote green energy source in the industry.

What is the aim?

The company aims to support a green environment by installing renewable energy-sourced facilities such as solar, biomass, wind, and hydro power. Alongside its powerful aim of promoting green energy sources, is to give opportunities to the community wherever they install and operate solar farms.

Is it feasible?

The solar farm project is feasible for both sides: the owner and consumer. Aside from being able to augment the energy supply in Visayas region where common outages occur, the project also helps promote the use of green energy for electricity supply. In fact, according to reports from Cebu Daily News, the project will most likely replace around 157,000 barrels of crude oil that causes air pollution in the area. Hence, it can also be expected that the same project will help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by around 38,000 tons. Today, the Toledo solar farm is the largest solar plant station in the country.

Key Takeaway

Brisk implementation of solar energy source has become prevalent in the Philippines, and we’re in favor of these companies’ aim. Solar energy is the wisest way to augment power supply around the country as it is not only renewable, but also promotes a clean and green environment for people to live in. Plus, it opens more employment opportunities within communities!

4 Extraordinary Uses of Solar Panels in the Philippines

What are the improvised uses of solar panels?

Device battery charging
Water heating (and cooling)
All around ventilation
Outdoor lighting

With the decrease in solar panel prices in the Philippines and all over the world, people can now make use of solar energy in every way imaginable; aside from using it as an alternative to the traditional utility grid of electricity, that is. Going green with solar energy has provided the world of new ways to power up appliances, home utility tools, and even tech accessories, further saving utility grid provided electricity.

In this article, we’ll show you 4 extraordinary uses of solar panels and solar energy; all of which you can try at home!

Battery Charging

Have you ever thought of using solar energy in charging your batteries? Well, we think it’s time to do so. Sunlight is always present, and not using it even for small applications can be a waste. Thankfully, there are companies that sell solar-powered device chargers helping innovate the way people charge their devices’ batteries. Though, if you have the right materials, you can also opt to create your own device solar charger! Building one can help you better your devices especially when you’re doing outdoor activities such as traveling and camping.

Water Heating

Swimming pools are better used when it’s not too cold to dip in. This very problem can be solved through adding a solar blanket in the pool to warm up your water, or perhaps a solar heating system to help you better get the job done. What the solar heating system does is it uses the light collected from the sunlight and converts it to heat. The solar panels will be mounted on your roof to collect the heat, and from there, the heat will be passed onto the pool. Thus, increasing the pool’s water temperature. Conversely, this technology can also be used in cooling pool water especially during hot seasons.

Ventilation

Despite the widespread use of air conditioning units, ventilation fans are still very common. This goes most especially in the sala, dining room, kitchen, and many other areas where unwanted air are most existent and the need to circulate the air in return for a cleaner one is vital. More than anything, it helps remove foul odor at home. However, it cannot be denied that the use of both air conditioners and fans can rather amount to particular returns on your utility bills. The practical alternative is using solar-powered fans that you can either buy or build yourself.

Lighting

When you come home at night, you definitely prefer seeing light both inside and outside of your home. This does not only make your home look visible, rather it also helps in avoiding unwanted guests at night. With solar lighting, you can make your home as well-lit as possible without worrying about your utility bills. The solar panels can help charge the batteries during daytime and make use of it during nighttime. You can even design your own solar-lit landscape to make your home look better at night.

Key Takeaway

Literally, these extraordinary uses of solar panels are lit. Solar panels do not only help save you from expensive utility charges and minimize the pressure on utility grids, but it also allows you to customize your own energy resource. The use of solar energy in the Philippines is definitely a huge advantage!

Mistakes to Avoid When Using Solar Systems in the Philippines

What are the usual mistakes homeowners make when going solar?

They opt for a solar lease and power purchase agreement that creates a huge financial impact despite the free installation.
They install solar systems on an old roof.
They usually do not seek information about solar efficiency and tend to spend more.

Success stories of installing solar systems in the Philippines has been making rounds and has also turned the use of solar panels as an alternative to utility grids into a trend amongst residential areas. In turn, a lot of people have opted to using this renewable energy to their advantage, especially with the decrease in its pricing.

Hold your horses though. Going solar is great in many many ways, but you need to makes sure you don’t make these common mistakes.

Mistake No. 1: Opting for a solar lease and power purchase agreement

Choosing to sign a solar lease and power purchase agreement (PPA) is basically just renting a solar system from a solar leasing company. While this may allow you to freely install a solar system at home without shelling out to purchase the equipment, some agreements tend to last for 20 years. Solar leasing companies often gain bad reputation as they tend to make things difficult with home sales especially when potential buyers do not approve of the agreement.

Mistake No. 2: Installing the solar system on an old roof

This is a common mistake and is often among the costly ones: installing a solar system when your roof is already near its peak of replacement. Always keep in mind that the solar system is installed on the roof so the panels have easy access to direct sunlight. However, you should also note the durability of the roof; in short, make sure that the roof doesn’t need any other work done at the time of solar system installation. Solar systems are generally designed to last for around 25 to 30 years, hence it could be wiser to proceed with the roof work first if any are needed before installing the solar system.

Mistake No. 3: Not doing your homework about solar efficiency

Understanding how solar efficiency works isn’t rocket science, hence it is comprehensible for homeowners. The usual mindset of a potential solar owner would be to aim for an incredibly high-efficiency panel, because, well, it’s highly efficient. For homeowners, this option could be over-the-top and costly. This is where understanding your home’s energy requirement becomes significant.

An efficient solar system can be achieved with the right orientation of your panels, the approximate available hours of sunlight used for solar collection, the angle, and even the amount of ground or roof space available to you.

Quick Tip: The solar-south orientation is the most efficient way to get desirable results when it comes to collecting sunlight as it allows the most coverage during the available hours of the sun.

Key Takeaway

With these in mind, it should be easier for you to make smart decisions and successfully install the solar system while avoiding extra expenses that could make the installation costlier than they should be. The most expensive options don’t necessarily mean that it’s the best for your use. You can always achieve high-efficiency panels with the right orientation, angle, and placement of your solar panels.

Raindrops Keep Falling: A Solar Panel Powered by Rain

Do solar panels work during the rain?

Yes, but they are much less effective.
There is a new all-weather solar panel being developed by Chinese scientists.
This uses electron-enriched graphene to bond with the positive ions of rain to produce electricity.
The technology still isn’t perfect but it may be available soon.

In terms of the use of renewable energy locally, the big question is this: is it worth getting a solar panel in the Philippines? The price may be worth the investment, but how effective can it be in a country with long rainy seasons? After all, how can we expect them to create energy with sunlight when clouds are blocking the sun? Well, that could change very soon because there are new types of solar panels in development that are designed to get energy from raindrops as well!

Chinese Design

This innovation in renewable energy technology is in development thanks to Chinese scientists. They have developed a way to harness the energy of rain water and integrated it into a solar panels. In this new design, they used a thin layer of graphene to coat the bottom side of the solar cell. It’s this graphene that can interact with the positively charged ions that can be found in rain drops. So when the rain pours, it will be a simple matter of flipping over the panel to get renewable energy even during the rainy season.

How Graphene Turns Rain Water into Energy

Since rain water is full of dissolved salts, it’s also full of positive and negative ions. On the other hand, the graphene is electron-enriched. So when raindrops hit the graphene, a pseudo-capacitor is created when the water clings on. A dual layer is then formed with this pseudo-capacitor and the graphene electrons. With these two layers, electric currents are formed when the positive ions in the rain – ammonium, calcium and sodium – initiate electric currents with the graphene. The energy formed between these two layers is strong enough to generate electricity. With just a mere atom-thick layer of graphene, hundreds of millivolts of energy can be created. Imagine what it would be like with a thicker layer?

Efficiency with the Sun

This comes with a dye-sensitive solar cell. These are thin photovoltaic (PV) cells that use organic dye to absorb sunlight and produce electrons. So it can convert solar energy. At the same, it makes it able to absorb the electric currents created by the rain and graphene.

This same solar cell can be 6.53% efficient in creating energy from simulated sunlight as well.

Still in Development

Although it is still much less efficient than most standard solar panels, the technology can become an all-in-one solution for renewable energy by being able to provide it during any sort of weather. It is certainly a viable option for countries rainy countries, such as the UK and the Philippines. The price of the solar panel will definitely be worth it when households shave off a lot of expenses from their electricity bill during the rainy months. For now, we have net metering to rely on in times when the sun doesn’t shine.