turn on the sun Archives - Solar Panels Philippines

THE PHILIPPINES: ARE WE TURNING ON THE SUN?

Shifting Gears Toward Clean, Sustainable, and Renewable Energy This 2019

Solar Digital Squad
Manila, Philippines
March 21, 2019

The solar industry in a nutshell

Solar power is beginning to play a massive role in delivering clean and safe energy to the world population. There are various giants at play in this industry. In countries like the Philippines, solar panel parts and accessories manufacturers market products such as inverters, mounting racks, batteries, energy storage systems, etc. Solar panel manufacturers make, develop, produce, and distribute solar panels. Solar installers offer a one-stop shop, or a turnkey solution for solar power systems from system design, engineering, installation, to maintenance and support. These are usually the top-of-mind names that the end consumers are familiar with.

Cost per click and cost per watt

Back in the day, business talks revolved around CPC, or cost per click. This 2019, discussions focus on Cost Per Watt. This is one of the most important metrics to know and understand because this is how to determine efficiency and production costs.

The key takeaway

The growth of the solar industry will continue. The International Energy Agency estimates that by 2022, global capacity will be between 1,000 and 1,300 gigawatts (GW), while GTM Research estimates global capacity at 871 GW by 2022. This can be summed up in one simple sentence: global solar demand will continue to rise over time.

Is climate change getting worse?

The entire planet is adversely affected by climate change, which is why various countries are embracing renewable energy, especially solar. Almost 100% of Iceland’s energy comes from renewable sources. Sweden has boldly declared its goal of eliminating fossil fuels. Germany runs on 20% renewable energy. Costa Rica has a target of being absolutely carbon neutral by year 2021. The Philippines has a longer dry season. Thus, we have more sunshine. What is our goal in the Philippines?

Who is the biggest pure-play solar installer in the Philippines?

Solaric is the recognized king of rooftop solar. Solaric has established its name across the renewable industry as a proven and reputable rooftop solar leader. Backed by decades of experience, Solaric has installed more than 50% of residential rooftop solar panels 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 becoming the recognized leader in corporate and industrial solar projects. The Solaric installers and engineers are well-known troubleshooting experts. They work hard to ensure that solar panel systems run efficiently and seamlessly so that everyone with rooftop solar can enjoy the benefits of clean and renewable power. Welcome to the new generation of solar and turning on the sun. For the future.

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Contact the solar experts

For more information on solar power systems and solar system installers and experts, 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.

WHY HE TURNED ON THE SUN: A Throwback Tale About the Beginnings of Solaric Corp.

REGINA ROME

Solar Digital Squad

Manila, Philippines

January 18, 2019

It all started with a little experiment

“We ran a little experiment on how to run an air conditioner without using Meralco power,” says Mike De Guzman, President of Solaric Corp., when asked how the Philippine solar power equipment company began.

He was the chemistry lab geek

“My formal education was in business — but I am a power engineer at heart. Even before I finished high school, I assembled a homemade generator during the 90s power crisis. I always loved tinkering around with all sorts of electrical projects growing up. At age 10, my brother and I rewired the lighting in our bedroom to a bedside switchbox. We made our own electric cars out of junk spare parts and toilet paper tube holder battery packs.”

Mike was the chemistry lab geek in high school, who was known to accidentally blow up the science project by creatively mixing substances in quantities that would definitely result in an epic blast. He went on to business school in California for college, while his parents were imagining their son becoming an investment banker of some sort. During his final year in business school, a fire erupted and gutted their house. Mike then had to learn about construction and construction management, as they rebuilt their residence in Northern Cali.

But challenges define a person’s character

It’s true — challenges build character and necessity is the mother of invention. As the rolling blackouts of the 90s ensued, Mike learned to assemble a generator from a dynamo he purchased in Chinatown, with a Yanmar diesel rice thresher motor that had truck fan belts linking it together. As he began to understand the art of building homes, he embarked on a career in real estate development. This proved to be far more profitable than working for corporate America as a fresh college grad. Thus, in his early 20s, Mike built houses and supervised large work crews of American contractors.

Once a hobby, always a hobby

Passion never dies. His mind never stopped exploring DIY projects, which ranged from modifying cars to assembling computers. Other interests involved sports and adventures, including scuba diving, downhill skiing, white water rafting, back wilderness trips, and driving insanely fast motorcycles for 300 km+ excursions to unsafe limits.

And then they became two

“I met my wife Jade in an open water diving trip. We had a mad plan after getting married to go back to the Philippines and set up a BPO or call center, and run it until we grew old,” Mike grins, as he recalls events that transpired more than 15 years ago. “What I liked most about setting up the call center was constructing the facility, configuring backup power systems, and stuff like that. The BPO business exposed us to all sorts of business ideas and business models, one of which was telemarketing for solar systems in California. That was what planted the seed of inception.”

The gears started turning

Mike started analyzing energy costs in running their call center. He discovered that energy costs often exceeded rent, and was almost approximately the same amount as their salary and wages expense. As he indulged in further research in power, he realized that the entire nation was actually paying way too much for power. That triggered his interest in power conservation in the Philippines through solar power equipment.

“Then, during one of our vacations to the United States, we rented a fabulous house with rooftop solar, owned by a plastic surgeon. Piqued by the solar phenomenon, I rummaged through the house looking for its batteries. All I found was a red box called SMA that displayed kWh exported to the grid without battery. After a little research, I found out that the house was actually sending surplus power back to the grid through some sort of credit program with the utility. The government was virtually paying the surgeon for the excess power, with tax write-offs and subsidies. Right then and there, I was sold. I knew I had to be at the helm of the solar revolution in the Philippines.”

As soon as they touched back down on Philippine soil, Mike and Jade incorporated Solaric. The rest was history.

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.

WHY THE PHILIPPINES NEEDS TO TURN ON THE SUN

REGINA ROME

Solar Digital Squad

Manila, Philippines

January 15, 2019

Solar is really the cheapest source of power

It’s true. Solar power is really, truly the cheapest source of power, most specifically in the Philippines, where it is the best alternative to power generation. This kind of power is easy and simple to generate with today’s affordable solar panels in the Philippines. It’s reliable, accessible, and affordable.

“A decade ago, solar tech was expensive and not exactly financially feasible. Now, with more nations getting onboard, and with higher demand, solar power has become affordable for the average consumer. It isn’t just a power source choice. It is ideally the only choice that makes any sense,” said Jade De Guzman, the Vice President of Solaric, the recognized leader in solar rooftop in the Philippines.

How low can you go?

Solar panel prices have dropped so low that records claim that the rates declined 90% in the last decade, and 50% in the last three years. Solar panel experts that studied prices of solar panels through the years concluded that the price per watt peak (Wp) panel was Php150 in the early 2000s, which is equivalent to Php150,000 for a 100-Wp solar panel. Now, however, the cost averages to just about Php15 per Wp, which translates to Php15,000 for a 100-Wp panel. Then: Php150,000. Now: Php15,000. The numbers back up the stats: 90% drop.

Who’s hopping in the backseat?

The common misconception among us Pinoys is that rooftop solar is just for the houses. The truth is, it is not just the households that are clamoring for solar and switching up to the good life. Many establishments are going solar and turning on the sun: schools, factories, ice plants, car dealerships, shopping malls, banks, buildings, condominiums, and more. Industry names that have tapped the rooftop solar potential Toyota, SM and Robinsons malls, De La Salle University, and Asian Development Bank. Well of course. Who wouldn’t want cheaper power? Once you install solar your solar panel in the Philippines, you can register with Net Metering. Then you get credited for your excess or surplus electricity. You join the Net Zero phenomenon, otherwise known as the #ZeroBill.

“Solaric has installed rooftop solar in over 2,000 homes and establishments nationwide. We’ve trained over 5,000 individuals on solar. The demand for knowledge and power is clear. There’s only one direction, and that’s renewable,” Jade states. “These are definitely exciting times in the power industry.”

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

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

COLD STORAGE FACILITY TURNS ON THE SUN AND SAVES 1.35 MILLION EACH YEAR

How Solaric Benefits Cold Storage Facilities

REGINA ROME
Solar Digital Squad
Manila, Philippines
December 1, 2018

A cold storage facility located in the Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental invested in a 99.9 kWp Solaric System in December of 2016. Revisiting it two years later, join us as we take a peek at the actual numbers.

There’s a solution to every problem

In 2016, the cold storage company had two main concerns: they wanted to lower their monthly electricity expenses and they wanted to contribute to a safe and green planet. To address the situation, they approached Solaric Corporation, the industry leaders in solar panels in the Philippines. After hammering out the feasibility, details, and projections, the cold storage company made an outright purchase for the solar power system.

Turning on the sun

The Solaric System leverages a 99.9 kWp photovoltaic solar installation. The Solaric System was executed within a 45-day period, which included site inspection, securing of permits, and installation. As an investment, the solar installation was set to ROI in 5.6 years.

Figures in the raw

Exploring the figures in-depth and based on current solar prices and calculations, ROI will be achieved faster, within 4.5 years. Annual savings are up to 1.35 Million.

How that particular Solaric system saves the planet

By installing a Solaric System, the cold storage facility reduced the demand for fossil fuels, limited greenhouse gas emissions, and this shrinks its carbon footprint. To paint a clearer and more vivid picture of how the solar panel installation saves and protects the environment and its benefits, here are some facts derived from this particular solar installation case study in Dumaguete. This Solaric System reduces greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 491 passenger driven vehicles per year. This translates to 307 tons of waste recycled instead of landfilled. The solar panel system also eliminates the same amount of carbon emissions that would result from 216 barrels of oil consumed, 10,502 gallons of gasoline consumed, and 9.7 tons of coal burned each year. The solar energy from this system will prevent CO2 pollution from going into the atmosphere every year, saving 2,417 tree seedlings grown for 10 years, and 45 hectares of forests in one year!

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 country and has delivered significant cost reductions in electricity expenses. 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.

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.

The 3 Phases of Turning on the Sun

Paying too much for electricity—this is a monthly fact of life that we are making obsolete either by installing solar or empowering independent installers. Turn On the Sun simply makes sense as the Sun is an infinitely renewable and most abundant power source.

Solaric, which has solar panels priced in the Philippines, has been installing and developing cutting edge solar systems that decrease, and at times if installed in copious or audacious amounts, results into a ZERO or even negative electricity bill.

We have energized hundreds of homes and dozens of large power intensive businesses—like steel and ice plants—and have developed ways for highly efficient systems.

Every day, we get questions like: HM po ang Solar? Easy question, but an intelligible answer would at least take 10 minutes of thinking and pencilling down some equations and a short interview on how you use power.

To help you out, we categorize solar builds in various phases or levels of commitment.

Phase I: Solar Energy = Daytime Base Load

This is when the great majority of our installations takes place. We install enough solar power so that it will be equal or make it slightly higher than the amount of your daytime consumption or base load. Our engineers will enhance your electrical system to use solar as first priority and grid power as second priority. If there is not enough solar, it will draw proportionately from the grid; if there is too much solar, then the excess will be sold to the grid using Net Metering.

The Net Metering setup is the most pragmatic design, as you would be using primarily solar power vs. grid power during daytime hours. There is no battery storage needed; you also don’t need to rely too much on selling the excess power to the grid for credit. This is not magic or alchemy, but proven principles of electrical engineering and a program backed up by national law to decrease the cost of electricity and increase energy sources in the country.

Phase 1 can mean a modest dual panel setup that erases P800 to P1k a month at P60k, to a 5kW build that is common in large power hungry houses in gated subdivisions at P450k. Seminar attendees, especially ones with electrical or contractor background, can get them at drastically discounted DIY packages after our training program. Learn more about it by clicking this link.

The most requested package is the “kaya daytime aircon,” which is normally a 1.5kW system at around P140k installed.

ROI is a proven sub 5-year level with users reporting 14% to 25% return on investment. This happens without using any batteries; we actually do NOT recommend using any LEAD ACID battery if bill savings are your ultimate goal, as storing and discharging energy in a lead acid battery costs more than grid rate.

In short, Phase I is solar energy = daytime base load.

Phase II: Phase I + 2x Night Time Load in Solar

Phase II, on the other hand, is for people who want to pay next to nothing or even ZERO on their bills. It stacks on the principles of Phase I, install enough for base load and DOUBLE for evening loads. We would say double because the utility is only buying your excess power at half rate or generation charge, even though the RE law says otherwise.

ROI is longer because exported power is only valued at about half value, but it is something our Phase II clients still find priceless because simply paying for retail power rates is no longer acceptable after witnessing what solar does to an electric bill. Many of our Phase II builds are customers who want the full deal, which is being defined with a power bill that reads P0.00.

Being in Phase II means you are getting Phase I + 2x night time load in solar.

Phase III: Phase II + Energy Storage for Loads that Needs to Run on Backup

Then, there is the holy grail of solar builds: The NEGATIVE carbon footprint house. This is a build that is so green minded audacious that the solar house (in the eyes of ERC a RE power plant) not only generates all the power it consumes, but has oodles of excess renewable energy that is resold by the utility around the entire block. The capability to run Offgrid mode, also included with energy storage using Lithium batteries, are the main features of a Phase III build. This is borne from our military application projects and R&D into TESLA power wall substitutes and whole roof solar systems.

A Phase III system solves all of our power engineering questions such as, paano kung may brownout, typhoon, earthquake, zombie apocalypse? Nothing would matter to Phase III build as there will always be power produced at rates that rival coal.

This means that Phase III will include Phase II + energy storage for loads that needs to run on backup.

Key Takeaway

With energy storage coming down due to worldwide adaptation of E Vehicles, we see this as a future trend, but already deploying them for the most cutting edge residential homes, research institutions, and even military application projects worldwide.

If you want to get Solaric to design, build, and install your ultimate solar project, call us at 5040092 or email us at info@solaric.com.ph.

Turn on the Sun is what we do—one roof at a time!