Average Filipino’s guide to solar rooftops

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Step 1. Get to know solar power

It’s always a good idea to get yourself acquainted with new technology, and how others are using it. The use of solar power is no different, and getting behind cleaner, more sustainable energy starts with eliminating any doubts you may have, once and for all.

Local celebrity solar champions have teamed up with Greenpeace for the Juana Solar Busts a Myth in Minutes series (you can watch them on http://www.iwantsolar.ph) to break the most common renewable energy myths that bring about these doubts.

Ask a friend or relative who’s a solar consumer directly about his/her experience. It's also a great idea to look into first-hand accounts from solar energy users. These solar stories are where you’re most likely to get the answers you're looking for.

It's also worth reading up on how light energy is converted into electricity. Many sites offer comprehensive yet newbie-friendly materials on the science behind solar panels, like Save On Energy’s article on how solar panels work.

Step 2. Do an energy audit

It’s necessary to find out how much energy you consume. It’s a crucial step in determining the solar equipment you’ll need, and also helps you determine how much you can save in terms of both energy efficiency and production.

With a bit of research, you can conduct the energy audit yourself or seek the help of a solar panel provider. Most providers can even give you an estimate of how much you can save on your monthly electricity bill with each specific number of solar panels you install.

Once you know the amount of power you need after installing energy efficient systems, then you can decide on and ask your preferred provider about the following:

Partial System vs. Full System - you can opt to acquire a system to power your entire home or start with having certain appliances or parts of your house powered by solar energy.

Off-grid setup vs. Grid-tied setup - An off-grid setup allows you to be independent from the power supplier in your area. With an off-grid setup you’ll need a controller, inverter, and batteries to be able to store energy for nighttime use. With a Grid-tied setup, you produce solar energy from solar panels and sell the energy back to your local electric company. This setup can lower your electricity bills with net metering.

Type and size of panels (including size of battery, charge controller and inverter, if not connected to the grid) - The type and size of panels will depend on your budget, energy needs, available space and location. It’s best to consult with your provider on this.

Step 3. Financing

There are already many financing options available for those looking to solarize their homes or businesses. Some solar panel providers offer in-house financing in easy installments, while banks like BPI and BDO offer loans specifically for solar home installations.

PAG-IBIG also offers loans for the purchase and installation of solar panels to members who want to save on electricity costs with renewable energy through the agency’s Home Improvement Loan.

Step 4. Purchase & Installation

Another thing to consider when you purchase solar panels is finding the optimal space for it in your home.

We highly recommend that you leave the installation to experts to avoid safety hazards. Most providers can tell the optimal location and orientation of the panels.

You may visit http://www.iwantsolar.ph/solarize-your-home for a downloadable list of solar panel providers in the Philippines.

Step 5. Reap the benefits and share your story!

If it’s good to connect with like-minded individuals early on, it’s even better to share your experience with many more who are scared of taking the first step. Your solar story can change lives!

Demonstrating the benefits of solar energy will call attention to the slow progress of renewable energy uptake in the country's energy mix. This will increase the pressure on newly elected officials to do their part in speeding up the shift to clean, renewable energy, which is also the key to the Philippines' energy independence.

Best of all, you get to play an active role in the imminent transition to a 100% clean energy future.

Greenpeace busts myths on Renewable Energy with The Solar Rooftop Challenge

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Greenpeace launched the Solar Rooftop Challenge, and presented at the media and guests held at the Bonifacio High Street last June 15, 2016. On the eve of the start of the comprehensive government energy policy review, and proving that the incoming rainy season is not an impediment to fully embrace solar energy, Solar Rooftop Challenge, an aggressive information campaign highlights the potentials of producing solar energy in the Philippines.

The Solar Rooftop Challenge highlights the benefits of using solar and busts misguided notions that hinder individuals and companies from taking it up by showcasing existing solar rooftop installations of urban middle class households, celebrities, churches, schools, government buildings and private establishments, and through sharing empowering stories of people who have joined the solar rooftop revolution in the country.

Renewable Energy advocates Illac Diaz (from left), Jun Sabayton, Jasmin Curtis-Smith and Saab Magalona grace the launching of the Greenpeace Solar Rooftop Challenge at the Bonifacio High Street on June 15, 2016. The Solar Rooftop Challenge is a massive information campaign that highlights the potentials of producing solar energy in the Philippines and creates a platform for the young and urban Filipinos to join the discussion on renewable energy, particularly the use of solar energy. ©Greenpeace

"Today, we are launching the Solar Rooftop Challenge to create a platform for the young and urban Filipinos to join the discussion on renewable energy, particularly the use of solar energy. At the same time that the young, hip and trendy Filipinos are ‘arriving’, so is the use of solar energy,” explained Reuben Muni, Climate and Energy Campaigner for Greenpeace Southeast Asia Philippines.

The launch event featured informative lectures and discussions by Obet Verzola, author of the book Crossing Over: the Energy Transition to Renewable Energy and Executive Director of Center for Renewable Electricity Strategies (CREST), and Dann Diez, Executive Director of Sustainable Energy and Enterprise Development for Communities, who presented data and experiences showing that solar energy installation is affordable, accessible and more cost-effective in the long run.

The launch also unveiled the video series JuanaSolar Busts a Myth in Minutes, which features celebrity advocates Saab Magalona, Yam Concepcion and Dingdong Dantes busting the myths surrounding the use of solar energy.

The videos debunk the myths that solar energy is expensive, unreliable, impractical, uneconomic, and beyond the reach of the average Filipino.

The Solar Rooftop Challenge also happens at the same time that the Philippine government is starting its comprehensive review of the country's energy policy in order to reduce dependence on coal and come up with a national framework for a just transition to renewable energy and a low-carbon economic pathway.

“By showing that many Filipinos across the country have already made the switch to solar energy, we are sending a message to the incoming Duterte Administration to take to heart this energy policy review and listen to the clamor of many more Filipinos who want clean and renewable sources of electricity for their homes, offices, and businesses,” added Muni.

By telling empowering stories, the Solar Rooftop Challenge showed that the solar revolution is already happening in many parts of the country - from a solar-powered church, to solar-powered schools, malls, and many households. It aims to serve as a platform for the thousands of Filipinos who have already embraced the solar revolution to show and tell their stories as well as exchange and share ideas and information to persuade other people who are keen on taking up the challenge of producing their own clean and renewable electricity from their rooftops.

“The stories will show energy independence through solar energy. We will break the myths surrounding renewable energy and create a powerful testament on its practicality, cost-effectiveness, and reliability to propel the Philippines to a future powered by clean and sustainable energy,” Muni said.