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Celebrate Earth Day by Doing These Simple Things

What are simple ways to celebrate Earth Day?

Plant a tree
Go on a bicycle ride
Take time to read about the Earth

The Earth—our planet—has been around for billions of years, and after all this time, it still hasn’t run out of ways to marvel us. Without it, we would have an incomplete solar system and the Philippines would simply not exist.

However, the Earth isn’t getting any younger and the resources it provides us aren’t going to last for eternity. The planet has provided us the opportunity to experience life and thousands of places to create unforgettable moments in and it certainly deserves something in return.

Earth Day, a worldwide event that is dedicated to the planet, is held annually on the 22nd of April. It is during this day that everyone is encouraged to do what they can to help in preserving the planet, from switching off unnecessary lights to helping in getting rid of plastic products.

Anyone can celebrate Earth Day, including you. You don’t have to shut off everything in your home completely or avoid gadgets altogether. In fact, Earth Day can be quite an enjoyable experience. In this article, you will read about simple ways you can celebrate the occasion.

Plant a Tree

There aren’t enough words in any dictionary to describe how important trees are. They are our primary source of oxygen, they help keep the planet cool, and they are a source of food. Sadly, trees are being cut down every day and they take decades to fully grow. It is said that the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago and the next best time is now—and this is nothing but the absolute truth.

Planting a tree is simple and it doesn’t take a lot of time. One tree may not look like much when compared to the sheer vastness of the planet, but it makes a difference, and it can inspire the people near you to plant their own trees.

Go on a Bicycle Ride

Before there were automobiles and planes, people traversed the world on foot or on horseback—or camelback. The travel time back then was exponentially longer, but people didn’t mind as the environment was beautiful and refreshing.

Going to places on a bicycle this Earth Day is a great way to celebrate it. It doesn’t even have to be far places—a few laps around your local area is fine, as you’re contributing in your own little way to lessening carbon emissions, even if it’s just for a few hours. If you have plans with your friends, meet together on your bikes—it’s going to be a fun experience.

Take Time to Read About the Earth

If you don’t feel like leaving the house or getting soil on your hands, that’s fine. You can still show your commitment to the Earth by taking a few minutes of your time to read about the planet—it doesn’t matter if you’re reading a textbook or your tablet.

Reading about the Earth isn’t boring by any means. It is filled with thousands of wonders and mysteries that are sure to keep you curious. There is more to our planet than continents and oceans, and if you found out about how amazing it really is, you would surely want to protect it too.

Key Takeaway

Earth Day reminds us that we only have one planet and that we shouldn’t abuse it. While it isn’t a requirement, taking part can be fun and contributing to the preservation of the planet is surely worth your time. Caring for the Earth ensures that it can continue providing us shelter and resources, and you will be doing future generations a huge favor by doing so.

Do’s and Don’ts When Owning a Solar System in the Philippines

What are the do’s and don’ts when it comes to owning a solar system?

Do face all of the panels in the same direction if you are using an inverter with only 1 MPPT tracker inverter
Do install a dual string type of inverter if you have to face two different directions
Don’t use dissimilar types of solar panel components

In terms of harvesting solar power, the Philippines’ position is definitely advantageous. It is situated just above the equator, meaning it receives more sunlight compared to other countries.

Due to the favorable global positioning of the country, it is highly recommended that Filipinos purchase and install solar systems atop their Philippine homes. This solar equipment could turn the sun’s rays into electrical energy.

This alternative source of energy is highly beneficial to the environment because it lessens the demand for fossil fuels. In addition, these solar panels do not emit greenhouse gasses that could harm the ozone layer in the atmosphere. By utilizing them, your carbon footprint will be reduced significantly.

Due to this, the number of Filipinos who want to use this technology has risen. They believe that it is a sound investment that they could rely on. But just like any other investment, they should also be properly taken care of.

Below, you will see a few do’s and dont’s when it comes to owning a solar system in the Philippines.

Do: Have All of the Panels Facing the Same Direction

Having all your solar panels face the same direction will ensure that their harvest is optimized.

Keep in mind that it is important that they are facing the south direction, which is the direction where the equator is located. This direction is ideal because the panels will be able to acquire the most amount of sunlight, which is vital for raw power output. That being said, if the only part of your roof that is available for solar panels is facing east, west, or north, it is fine to put it there too but it will generate 3% to 10% less than south. This is OK – just add another panel or two! Do not add a tracking system which may blow off during typhoons, or a frame mount facing another direction. It is always best to have a co-planar mount on your roof.

Do: Install a Dual String Type of Inverter (or Dual Tracker) if you face panels in two different directions

In case you—the homeowner—do not have one surface large enough to accommodate all the solar panels, then there is no other choice than to install the solar systems on two sides of your roof. This is possible by using a solar inverter with two MPPT trackers, or a “dual tracker solar inverter”.

Such cases do occur, and for cases like this, it is ideal to install a separate inverter that functions specifically for each side only.

By doing so, the light provided by the sun is maximized and harvested even during the different times of the day.

During the morning, those solar panels installed in the East will be able to harvest solar energy. On the other hand, the panels facing the West will be able to harvest the solar energy needed to be consumed during the afternoon.

Don’t: Use Dissimilar Types of Solar Panel Components

In order to cater to the varying conditions and preference of consumers, there are different types of solar systems in the Philippines available for sale.

Due to the varying types of solar panels and its components, the owners must be mindful of the parts that they purchase and make sure that these are of the same classification.

The different variables that come into play when it comes to solar PV modules are the current and voltage.

If your solar panels have a parallel connection, then you must be particular with the current of the system. On the other hand, if they have a module with a series connection, you must check the voltage requirement. Always consult a solar professional before doing an installation as you may damage equipment.

It is essential for a set of solar panels with a series type of wiring to have the exact or at least a closely similar current and voltage characteristics.

Such alignment of current and voltage is necessary to ensure that the level of performance of your solar systems is maximized. In a series connection, it will follow the current flow of the least performing panel.

In the event that a solar panel is equipped with either dissimilar voltage or current level, the lower rate of current or voltage will be the one utilized by the system and not the higher rate. For these kinds of instances, the power output is significantly lessened, meaning the performance rate of the system is not at its optimum level.

Key Takeaway

These are the do’s and don’ts when it comes to owning a solar panel in the Philippines.

Just follow these tips to ensure that your solar systems are optimized in terms of functionality.

How to Maximize Your Solar Harvest

How can you maximize your solar harvest?

Face your solar panels towards the right direction
Schedule your appliance usage between 10 am to 3 pm
Remove any obstructions

With the help of the solar systems from the Philippines, homes are provided with electrical energy through a renewable and environment-friendly resource.

If two sets of the exact same model of solar panels were to be placed in two different regions of the country, you might wonder whether the solar homes will be able to produce the same amount of solar energy.

The answer is ‘No.’

For example, solar panels installed in the NCR (National Capital Region) will not have similar solar harvest compared to those that are in the Northern Luzon area. In fact, the chance that they generate the same amount of electrical energy is relatively low, even when they were measured at the same time.

The reason for this is because there are many factors that could overall affect your panels’ solar harvest. Some of which are:

The angle of your solar panel
The direction where the solar panel is facing
The sun’s availability
Shadows that could obstruct the harvest of your solar panels

Luckily, there are some ways for you to consider in order to maximize your solar harvest.

Face Your Solar Systems Towards the Right Direction

Since the Philippines is above the Equator, then the array orientation (commonly regarded as the direction which the solar panels face) of the areas in the northern hemisphere of the country must be facing the south direction. On the other hand, regions in the southernmost hemisphere should be facing the north direction since it is the region that is nearest to the Earth’s Equator.

But you don’t have to remember all this; you could just instruct your installers to follow your roof’s structure. The reason for this is because most houses in the Philippines already have their roofs built to face the east and the west—both of which get a significant amount of sunlight.

Schedule Your Appliance Usage Between 10 A.M. to 3 P.M.

One technique that veteran solar homeowners do to maximize the energy provided by the panels is by only using most of their appliances from mid-morning until early-afternoon.

Specifically, 10 am until around 3 pm is the ideal time period to utilize your various electrical appliances.

As the sun is slowly rising above the Philippines, the sunlight that it emits gets stronger. Such condition is highly ideal for consumption.

Do take caution and keep track of the power capacity of your solar panels because overloading it can cause damage to its system. As much as possible, only use the electrical appliances one at a time.

Remove Obstructions

It is highly common for solar panels to be covered in dust, dirt, leaves, and even the dreaded bird droppings.

For most solar system owners, cleaning the panels may seem like a chore.

However, these obstructions could cause the panels to function inefficiently due to the shade it creates, which blocks the path of sunlight.

Do keep in mind that every inch of the panel absorbs sunlight, and is therefore essential for a solar panel to function.

Additionally, you might want to be on the look-out for nearby tall structures that may not create shadows on your panels during summer months, but could definitely be blocking the sunlight come the latter months.

Key Takeaway

And that’s it!

Those are the various ways on how your solar panels can function efficiently.

Make sure to follow these tips so that you can maximize the capacity of your solar panels and get the most out of your eco-friendly investment.

Why Solar Panels are Worth Your Investment

Solar energy has become extremely popular lately, especially now that more people are interested in living in a sustainable & environmentally-friendly way. In the Philippines, however, solar panels can be pricey.

So you’re probably wondering if the solar systems available from Philippine solar panel companies are truly capable of giving you a bang for your buck.

The following reasons are why solar panels are worth your investment.

Learn More about Solar System and the Philippine Sun with These 2 Fun Solar Projects for Kids

What solar projects can you let your kids do?

Light box – a box your kids can use to play with light and shadows.
Solar oven – a DIY oven your kids can use to “cook” foods like s’mores.

Aside from science classes, there’s another marvelous way of letting your kids learn more about solar energy, the sun, and the Philippines’ place in the solar system–that is, through enjoyable solar projects.

This kind of activities is fantastic. Not only will the children be learning about multitudes of things (and in a hands-on way, at that), they’ll also be having fun in the process!

It’s good to let them learn about the wonders of the sun as early as plausible. They’re never too young to discover what the sun can do, how it has helped us across different eras, and how it provides us with a renewable supply of energy.

Here are 2 fun solar projects that you can introduce to the kids:

Source: True Aim

Light Box

Want to do something fun with your kids in your own home? Do this solar project that will surely introduce your kids to the sun’s impressive abilities.

Here are some of the ingredients you will need:

Carton box
Plastic water bottles
Duct tape
Scissors

Some additional materials are:

Paint
Paint brushes
Food coloring
Bleach
Foil
Cups

Here’s how you do it:

Have the kids paint the exterior of the box. Let their creativity run wild!
Fill the plastic bottles with water. To make it more interesting, you can add a few drops of food coloring to some of them. Add some bleach to the liquid mixture if you’ll be keeping these bottles around for a bit longer.
Trace the bottles on top of the box. Mark the shape, and then start cutting the holes.
For sunlight to reflect better, you can choose to put some foil on top of the box.
Cut a hole on the side of the box. This is where the kids will be viewing the bottles.
Position the bottles on the holes, and let the kids take a peek! You can put some cups on top of the bottle, to further play with shadows and light.

Source: A-to-Z of Homeschooling

Solar Oven

This project is a favorite in summer camps. After all, it only needs a few items, and it’s quite easy to make!

Here are the materials you will need:

Empty pizza box
Foil
Plastic wrap
Tape
Scissors
Ruler
Paper plate
Food to cook (such as marshmallows and smores)

Here are the steps to get you started:

Cut a cover flap on top of the pizza box. Reserve a 2-inch border in front and on the sides.
Coat the bottom side of the cover and the insides of the pizza box with foil. Secure everything with tape.
Place a plastic wrap over the opening created by the flap.
Put the marshmallows (or whatever food you’ve chosen) inside your solar oven.
Position the flap diagonally (so that it can reflect sunlight better on the food), and prop the cover flap open using a ruler.
Let the sun do its magic! Wait for your food to be cooked (which can take a few minutes to an hour). Enjoy!

Key Takeaway

It’s never too early to let the kids learn about the wonders of solar in your own home, and help them realize the Philippines’ place in the solar system. These projects are not only educational, but they are also extremely fun to do!

Solar System Philippines: How Solar Energy Changes Engineering and Design

How solar energy is changing engineering and design?

They are becoming lighter and smaller
They are utilizing efficient materials
The engineering and designs are becoming fresher and more dynamic
Automation in designs is becoming more apparent

With the rise of solar energy across the world, most countries have begun their movement to go green. This 2017 saw a massive increase in the usage of renewable energy, clocking in at an all-time high. Along with a more efficient and environmentally-friendly form of energy, engineering and design has also been influenced by renewable energy. In the Philippines side of the Solar System, we can see the effects of solar energy towards how machines, devices, and solar homes are being designed.

Here are some of the engineering and design changes bought about by solar energy.

Lighter and Smaller

Thanks to the development of solar energy across the world, we are able to make smaller and more efficient versions of some of the machines that we use today. For example, solar powered vehicles tend to be lighter and have fewer moving parts, since they do not need fuel to get them running.

Smaller and lighter designs also mean that you would be using less materials than before, which saves up manufacturing costs, and can even help the environment. Thanks to solar power, items such as watches, calculators, chargers, and other gadgets are now more efficient. With how things are shaping up to be, expect some of the bigger machines to have a smaller solar-powered version in the next few years.

Efficient Material Usage

Along with the development of renewable energy, manufacturers and researchers all over the world have been able to create materials that would coincide with being environmentally-friendly and safe to use. This means using recyclable and reusable materials, which can take the place of the traditional materials that are being used in regular manufacturing. The goal of using renewable energy is to make it portable and lighter, and the materials being developed for the future would help achieve that vision.

Fresh and Dynamic

Each century of human history has seen major trends and changes towards design. This can be very evident with the architecture and engineering of various structures over the past few years, as you would be able to see the many different variations and intricacies of each design. These changes are not only cosmetic, but they are also helpful in making them more efficient and dynamic. With the era of renewable energy arriving in the next few decades, expect another design revolution arriving, which will see more focus on being practical, while still having some elegance.

Automation in Design

With the many advancements in technology during the past few years, design has become more automated, as computer programs and applications are able to assist designers with creating better designs. This level of design automation has not been seen before, and is something that the next generation of architects and engineers would be able to utilize in the upcoming years.

Key Takeaway

With advent of renewable energy sources like solar energy, the world would be able to see major changes in design that would coincide with it in the future. The design trend of the future aims to apply the efficiency of renewable energy sources, which means we would be seeing sleeker and smoother designs in the next few years.

Solar System Philippines: How Children Are Learning Solar Energy Through Toys

How do children learn solar energy through the use of toys?

Toys help showcase the versatility of solar energy
These toys encourage children to recycle
Solar toys help spread the awareness of the benefits of renewable energy

With the growth and development of technology during the past decade, the use of renewable energy has become more widespread than ever. With traditional energy sources becoming more limited and harmful to the environment, renewable energy like solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal are now seen as the main power source of the future. It is no surprise that on this side of the solar system, the Philippines is becoming a country that uses solar energy as a main power source. More people are becoming informed about the benefits of solar energy, and most of them are from a younger generation of people.

These young people, particularly the children, are becoming more well-versed in today’s technology, which helps them receive a wide variety of information from different parts of the internet. This helps them learn more about things like renewable energy sources. Along with the internet, children today get to learn more through toys, which have become more sophisticated. Some of these toys help children learn about solar energy and how it works.

Source: Hot Sale Gift

These toys help showcase the versatility of solar energy

There are many kinds of solar toys available, from cars, robots, windmills, and much more. These toys not only show how machines work using electricity, but they also help children see how solar energy can be used in different ways. This helps children see solar energy as a versatile energy source that can be used in different capacities.

A lot of these toys are modular, which means they can be adjusted accordingly and be used in many different ways. With so many options, children would be able to develop their creativity, and even increase their interest in science and technology.

Encouraging children to recycle

One of the best things about some of the solar toys is that children would be able to integrate recyclable materials into their creations. They can use materials such as plastic bottles, old CDs, cardboard, wood, old toys, and so much more. This helps show children how solar energy is not only making energy more efficient, but it can also do wonders for the earth’s environment. There have been many schools that have introduced these simple solar panel toys, and children have made some wonderful creations that make them appreciate and enjoy solar energy.

Spreading awareness

With more children being informed about the benefits of solar energy, children would also be able to learn more about how renewable energy would be the main power source of the future. They would be able to see at a young age how solar energy would bring positive impact to the environment, as well as help other people see its benefits. Educating people about solar energy at an early age helps them become more prepared for the future that aims to be green.

Key Takeaway

Solar energy is at its peak during the past few years and is leading the way for more Philippine renewable energy sources to be used in the future. With the use of solar toys to teach children, we would be guaranteed that more people would be able to envision a greener future for everyone.

How Coal Tax will Affect the Cost of Power in the Philippines

A friend came to me saying that the coal tax is going to increase the cost of power in the Philippines, I said for cheaper energy its better we kick the coal habit and take a look at the pro oligarch laws that limit RE. There are 450 government agency signatures to put up a solar plant and 3 years permitting for solar farms and for home owners and business owners; arbitrary limitation of how many solar panels or how large of a solar system a Philippine factory or a school can put on their roof and utility compliance hurdles from local and national government for a home setup.

We are after lower cost of energy; it’s the prime reason why people hire us to install solar panels. Half to total electric cost reduction is our goal and some of our clients no longer have an electric bill.

Saying No to coal however is not easy. For years the Philippines was addicted to “cheap power” from coal generation and little after thought was given on burning millions of tons of coal with no end. In 2008, about 24% of the energy needs came from coal plants and we are now edging at 50% coal power. This addiction has caused massive poisoning of our lands, air, and even ground water for host communities, not to mention Global warming contribution.

While other forms of polluting fuels are taxed by the government, Diesel and Gasoline which is mainly paid by working class Filipinos at six pesos per liter, Coal the million ton dinosaur was only taxed a mere ten centavos per kilo at a fixed rate set in 1977 benefiting the privileged few who own a coal plant or mine.

Now the Philippine Senate voted to tax it to a more defensible P300 per ton by 2020. Why we hate coal so much, there is no man made structure that is more efficient in polluting than a colossal coal power plant.

While other countries have found out that burning coal will spell ruin to their citizens’ health, the Philippines Energy plan is to use more coal generation like an unrepentant drug addict with 30 more coal plants planned in the near future.

With the 80% drop in solar panel prices the past 5 years, Coal is no longer the “cheapest” form of energy and they may be stranded assets before they even operate.

Coal generation like all fossil fuel plants has pass through cost provisions that guarantee profits for coal plant owners that Juan De La Cruz would either pay through pocket book or medical bills for affected communities.

So next year, yes power rates are going to go up. Perhaps the wise men of energy policy can just give renewables a chance by removing red tape roadblocks as increasing energy supply decreases prices.

Nonetheless, we realize that many of us are not sheep. Solaric is about empowering people to say No to coal and give economically viable options, solar on rooftops that produce power less than P2 a kWh.

If you want to save more energy with less money or simply a fan of clean environment, put a solar system on your roof. We give you a choice of paying for an electric bill or owning your own mini solar power plant.

For more information, go to this page. You may also email us through info@solaric.com.ph or call us at 5040092 or 09178603141 (Globe).

Big Companies that Reached Their Renewable Energy Target

What big companies have already reached their renewable energy target?

LEGO
Apple
Google
IKEA

In the past few years, the world has seen a gradual and constant shift towards using renewable energy sources in order to help save the environment. From the solar system, the Philippines, and the rest of the world, renewable energy is something that can be used and utilized to the fullest. The Philippines is one country that has developed their renewable energy sources. In fact, solar tech in the Philippines is on a steady rise over the past few years.

Aside from that, some of the biggest companies in the world have begun to use renewable energy sources for their facilities in an attempt to lessen the emission of harmful gases that would be released into the environment. Along with these renewable sources, recyclable and biodegradable materials are also being used more widely, which ensures that there would be less waste disposed in landfills or oceans. To further enforce these policies, these companies set their own renewable energy goals, some of which have been met with much success. In an effort to inspire others, here are some of the companies that have reached their renewable energy target:

LEGO

The goal of the famous toy brick company was to have their whole company run on 100 percent renewable energy by 2020. But on May 2017, the company announced that their facilities have already achieved that. In fact, much of the company’s renewable energy comes from wind turbines, with one of these wind farms producing around 260 megawatts of energy. Other than renewable energy in their facilities, LEGO also produces solar powered toys to spread awareness of the benefits of using solar power to the younger generation.

Apple

One of the largest technology companies has also been reaching their target for the past few years, with almost 93 percent of their energy sources coming from renewables by 2015. Apple uses a combination of solar power, hydroelectric power, and wind power to give them the energy that they need. They are also aiming to ensure that their packaging is made out of 100 percent recyclable materials, such as bamboo and waste sugar cane.

Google

From one technology company to another, Google has announced that it will be able to reach its goal of using 100 percent renewable energy in their offices by the end of 2017. The company invested in 44 percent of their renewable energy during 2015, which comes from both solar and wind power.

Other than wind and solar energy, Google has been also looking into hydroelectric energy and biomass as other renewable alternatives in the near future.

IKEA

One of the world’s largest furniture companies, IKEA has committed to use renewable energy in their facilities as well. Their goal is to reach 100 percent by 2025, with most of this energy coming from wind and solar sources. They are also pushing their green agenda to the whole company as well, pushing to use more organic and recyclable materials in their furniture, along with using more cotton and lessening the amount of waste that is disposed.

Key Takeaway

As the world shifts to a greener agenda, these companies make sure that they are at the forefront of this positive change. Thanks to these large companies and industries, it would not be surprising to see the use of renewable energy increase worldwide in the next decade.

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!