Solar Energy in the Philippines{27}
I’ve been meaning to write an update to my previous articleon solar energy for awhile now. Research has been slow. Solar energy use in the Philippines is not common, and the reasons are not much different than anywhere else – startup costs, getting materials, understanding what is needed to power your house, no grid-tied availability, etc.
There is a little bit of information out there – a government forum, an active vendor with a website, suppliers, more suppliers, some news articles and blogs, blogs. What it really boils down to though, it’s not easy getting going on this. As some have pointed out, if you aren’t trying to go completely solar then there are steps you can take to help reduce the reliance on electricity now. The “more suppliers” link has a listing for a company in Davao that could be useful in that regard, Davao Teknosun Company.
As things sit today, the only reasonable way to do a full system is with a grid-tied system, IMO. That doesn’t seem to be a possibility currently in the Philippines. There is a fair bit of interest in solar from those I’ve spoken to that are planning on living on Samal Island. I wonder what it would take to have the power company to allow grid-tied. Would you go to the local government first? There have been instances of solar energy uses in the Philippines to power areas without access to electricity, so the precedent is there. Just not on the individual level that we’d want.
Aug 02, 2008 @ 19:42:00
Hi Randy, thanks for this article. As people get costed out of high electricity bills, I am sure alternative energy will gain popularity. It moves slow here, maybe due to resistance to change, not enough knowledge, no tax incentives given by the government, or electric companies’ unwillingness to support this. Who knows? By the time you come, I am sure something will happen.
One can start small – i.e. a few panels, to help with cutting down costs, or to choose a hybrid system. Can add on more panels at a later date. As much as I want to eliminate electrical bills, I have to accept the fact that sometimes, we need it also for comfortable living. In the boat, I have to watch constantly that I don’t use too many amps, and I don’t want that kind of living all the time. On land, I want my luxuries
. If there are lots of brown-outs, then I will be one unhappy camper. I might as well go back to living in the boat full time. This is one worry I have about Samal – brownouts. So far, it is not bad, from what I can see. We have a generator here that kicks in when it happens, and they usually don’t last all day – just maybe a few hours to half a day the most. I heard Manila is worst, especially during a thunderstorm. It can’t be good for their appliances – 
Cheers,
Ellen
Aug 02, 2008 @ 21:12:00
I tried to find the company Davao Teknosun last week in Davao and we couldn’t find it. Probably went out of business. I wanted to see how much some PV panels cost and ask some questions. Mindanao doesn’t have a supplier of PV panels to my knowledge. Maybe Manila or maybe we need to get them from China.
Aug 03, 2008 @ 08:28:00
Hi Ellen – I’m encouraged by the fact that so many people I’m in touch with are also looking into this. If we share the information we find, and possibly work together with volume buys, etc. it becomes more plausible.
I guess I’m not as concerned about brownouts, but that’s easy for me to say as I don’t need to worry about them here. I’ve experienced them both in Manila and the province. The last trip we had one for about 14 hours in, while staying at my mother-in-law’s place. In that case obviously having batteries would be the way to go.
I appreciate your thoughts on this subject and the resources you’ve provided. Sorry the Freidrich fellow didn’t follow up on your questions.
Aug 03, 2008 @ 08:35:00
Hi Kevin – that’s too bad about Davao Teknosun, but not totally surprising. Did you try to call them, too? I see they have an email, so I may give that a try.
I don’t think it would be too difficult to have stuff brought in. As you mentioned, there are a number of suppliers in Manila. But even going outside the country shouldn’t be too difficult, I would think.
Aug 03, 2008 @ 15:53:00
Hi Randy: Shipping to Davao through the balikbayan system is very easy. It is for us anyway in Vancouver. We have ordered several items, some from as far as Florida to Vancouver (a marine generator) and then shipped by BB to Davao. The Filipino guy even comes to the house with his own guys to pick the items up. He doesnt even charge for weight, just volume. All US sales taxes were exempted when shipped to Canada and all Canadian taxes were rebated to us as soon as the items leave the country. Very efficient system. Of course, you have to have people on both sides of the country to handle the shipping, receiving, paperwork, etc.
I have been looking into the prices for some time now and I know they have started to come down – this because there are more suppliers – therefore more competition. U.S. more so than Canada. The good thing is that they sell Kits – so you don’t have to run around looking for each item. (Btw, even Costco is selling solar panels).
I’ve always been intrigued with solar gadgets – solar anything! It was difficult or very expensive to get them in North America (why? I don’t know). Now, with the increase in LED lights, and rechargeable batteries, it seems like solar products are becoming more common. LEDs are becoming more common now too, and they used to be super expensive. They don’t take that much power, less heat emitted, and last very long. We have converted our navigation lights and reading lights to LED and what a difference in amps!
I just got the manual and from quickly reading through, it looks like there is a special type of meter the electric company supplies for solar charging, so unless the Philippine elec. co. has this, grid tied will not be available here.
Aug 03, 2008 @ 19:18:00
Hi Ellen – we’ve shipped a balikbayan box a couple of times. In fact there is one right behind me getting ready to go soon. I wasn’t aware you could ship larger items that way. The boxes we get locally are about 24″ x 36″. Probably due to the fact that I’m in a smaller town.
I went to Costco.com and they do in fact sell solar panel kits. Doesn’t look like it includes batteries though. How does the price compare with what else you’ve seen? I would have to assume it’s pretty good, as Costco is usually very competitive.
LEDs are becoming very popular here, too. They seem to be everywhere all a sudden. My brother is a neon bender and isn’t very fond of them, as they are replacing neon signs. Cheaper to make, cheaper to run.
I’m still hopeful that a grid-tied system will be possible by the time we are building, or at least living there full time. There are benefits both ways, and it may be only a matter of time before the local electric companies realize that. Now you’ve got me wondering. I’m going to see if DANECO has a website, and if so whether they address solar power.
Aug 03, 2008 @ 20:22:00
Hi Randy, oh yes, you can ship large items (we can, anyway, from Vancouver). In fact, my mother shipped a fridge, heavy duty washing machine, etc. through them. And they are so helpful too. They wait until the whole container is filled before shipping out, and usually takes 4-6weeks before we get them.
Costco – without going into my other suppliers files, all I can say now is that less than 5 years ago, a 240watt system (3 x 80w panels) would have cost us over $6-7k. Now, I see they are selling it at CAD$1,800 and includes a regulator. We have the same 30amp regulator which we bought in Vancouver’s Canadian Tire store for less than CAD$200 2 yrs ago. Works perfectly in preventing overcharging of our batteries. Also, I think there is available now a 120w panel. Even better – cuz you don’t need too many panels.
Good luck with Daneco. I should give them a call one day, but am not ready yet to make that call. I am however checking around with friends and family to see if they know anyone inside there. Sometimes, one can get more info that way
LEDs – sorry to hear about your brother’s business. LED is big time now, and Germany supplies them much cheaper from what I saw in a German catalogue of our friends. The white light used to be bluish (cold) and not allowed for Navigation purposes, but now, they are able to add some yellow to the glass? to make the white – whiter and long-range. Good for us.
Aug 03, 2008 @ 21:50:00
Hi Ellen – yeah the ones on Costco.com are 123 watts each. You get two for $1700 with inverter and charge controller. By my calculations you would need 20 sets for your 5K system. That would be 40 panels and cost $34,000 but doesn’t include any batteries?
DANECO did have a website, of sorts. I wrote to them. Not expecting a reply but you never know until you try
Aug 04, 2008 @ 00:24:00
Haha – lots of panels there. Am not sure if you need that many to charge your bank of batteries. I have to ask the husband on that. Hopefully, they will increase the watts per panel as we go along. We didn’t even have that many watts per panel when we bought ours. I THINK we only have 40 watts each and 4 panels, 6 deep cycle batteries (or 8?). Seems to work fine for us, but we don’t have aircon, just lots of 12V electric fans in the boat, a 12volt fridge/freezer, lights, and the usual marine equipment on board. I can’t talk long on the Single side band, but listening is fine. Even my 15 inch laptop was converted to 12volt, and so was our 17″ TV. Anything larger than this, I need the inverter. If we are not doing any reading or major work, candles or lamps work fine. So I guess it works if your life is simple.
Aug 04, 2008 @ 06:37:00
Hi Ellen – well I was just assuming how many you'd need without batteries. I'd be interested to see what your husband has to say about the battery to panel ratio. There must be some calculators out there that work off peak & average. I just haven't gotten around to checking them out yet.
I'm expecting our life to be simpler there. But I still want to be able to run aircon.
Aug 17, 2008 @ 19:35:00
Just read this today:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/2008-08-17-solar-electric_N.htm
Aug 17, 2008 @ 20:41:00
Hi Ellen – that’s a very encouraging article. As the costs come down, it’s becoming more and more feasible to go to solar. They speak of the convergence where the rising costs of natural gas/fossil fuel plants is meeting the lowering costs of solar. That’s new territory and very promising.
Aug 31, 2008 @ 21:57:00
seen this post for a while. I’m glad you wrote it an I encourage you,and others interested to write more. here’s a couple additional thoughts.
Grid Tied Systems: First of all, Ellen and possibly some others are looking at energy needs where there is not a grid connection at present. I don’t have a good solution for this sort of need, yet. For those who want to explore solar more who _do_ have the grid available there are two major courses of action.
Permission based: there has been some talk in Phils government circles for enabling legislation, but I’m not aware of anything coming out soon … hopefully, I’m wrong and I’ll get a pleasant surprise.
Non-permission Tying: If you have a house with an electric meter and pay your bills on time nobody very much cares what is on the “customer side” of your meter. There are readily available control units that take power from batteries or solar cells directly and also take power from the grid when the house needs more than the solar plant is producing. They also have reverse current protection so that your solar plant (or powered generator system) will not ‘back feed’ into the grid … a safety issue.
IMO you need nobody’s permission to buy one of these and connect it in your home. It would be great if the power company would allow the kind of ‘sell back’ schemes popular in many countries, but who really cares if your purpose is simply to refrigerate, light and air condition your house cheaper than buying all your kilowatt hours?
Regarding shipping items, I have written often of a friend of mine, Manny paez who runs a major player in the “box industry”, http://www.manilaforwarder.com/
Manny’s company shipped our houshild goods to the Philippines, has sold me air fare and shipped many a box for the family. I recommend his company. One of his keynote services is shipping from any location in the US (via UPS if there is no local box agent) and outsize boxes. He also handles part or full container shipments from any US address, autos and other outize items. Feel free to check with Manny and seeif he can help.
Sep 01, 2008 @ 10:14:00
Hi Dave – thanks for dropping in and for the relevant comments.
While it would certainly be ideal if there were a “sell back ” system in place, I think I’d be just fine doing what you proposed. I sometimes forget that things work a little differently there. Kind of like the drinking laws, if you have the money then you are of age
I also appreciate the recommendation of the shipper. I’ll bookmark him for reference, whether in regards to solar or when we get around to moving there. I believe you mentioned that you packed up and drove to LA with your stuff. That wouldn’t be too bad an idea for us, as LA is just down the coast a day or two.
Sep 02, 2008 @ 15:49:00
Quote from Dave Starr: “are readily available control units that take power from batteries or solar cells directly and also take power from the grid when the house needs more than the solar plant is producing. They also have reverse current protection so that your solar plant (or powered generator system) will not ‘back feed’ into the grid … a safety issue.”
Any idea how these are connected? I assume this is not to replace the meter. I was told that once all electrical wires are ready, the electric company comes in to install the meter, and then SEAL it to prevent tampering.
Any links you can provide to give me more info is much appreciated. Thanks.
Sep 02, 2008 @ 19:24:00
For Randy … yes, you recall correctly regarding our move to the Philippines. Since we had to get to Los Angles anyway for our Philippine flight, and since we no longe rhad a car, it was easy enough to rent a u-haul truck and drive our stuff to Manny’s warehouse. Money-wise, I think it would have been cheaper to pay the additional cost of having the stuff picked up in Colorado and then flying commercially (gas was much cheaper then, you’d be _shocked_ at how much gas one of those u-Hauls can suck up … I was supposed to have a small diesel van reserved instead they ‘gave’ me the largest model, gas powered and autmatic, no less. read the fine print, the company can give you any substitute vehicle they chose to and you have no say *sigh*
but regardless, it was agreat trip thanks to Manny and his folks at Manila Forwarder. They handled all the paperwork (or basis for shipping was Mita’s balik bayan privilege, they sold us air tickets at a good price., they even saw to it we were well fed and got to the airport on time.
But if you look at their website you’ll see the info on how you can ship almost any size box … and if you don’t get what you need there, pick up the phone and call.
Sep 02, 2008 @ 20:00:00
For Ellen: Your information/concept is correct. The control/responsibility of the power company essentially stops at the electric meter,which is typically sealed. The wires that leave the meter on the customer’s side belong to you, the consumer. Normally, several thick wires go direct to the “service panel” (circuit breaker or fuse box) which you also own …and are responsible for. As long as you protect from reverse current … trying to feed the electric company’s grid in reverse … you can pretty much do anything you want on “your side” of the meter. What you “make” for yourself doesn’t go through the meter, so you don’t owe the utility for, what you don’t “make” for yourself comes through the meter and you get billed for. I was looking and looking for a good picture and found this site .. which I will explore further … I think their illustration makes it pretty simple.
http://greenterrafirma.com/solar_photovoltaics.html
Sep 02, 2008 @ 21:53:00
Hi Dave – so if I have this right, the inverter is the piece that determines whether it will be tied to the grid or not. You can either go straight from batteries (no grid), straight to the grid (no batteries), or a combination of the two (since there would be no sell back, the batteries would provide power in case of a brownout and possibly store any excess power that you didn’t use).
Personally, I think straight to the grid would be a lot less hassle. You would have to deal with brown outs, but the cost and storage of the batteries are big factors IMO.
Sep 03, 2008 @ 01:24:00
THanks for all the information. i will have to read more in depth later. It would be nice to do away with batteries, or just a few to run lights, etc.
Sep 15, 2008 @ 19:19:00
Maybe I am naive, or too confident in technology but I frankly don’t see the big issue with batteries. If you use deep cycle lead acid batteries, like golf cart batteries (readily available here in the Philippines) there are not a lot of issues. I mean, how often do you deal with the battery in you car? For most people it came with the car, and when it fails in 4 or 5 year’s time you buy a new one and drive away. I feel it is essential that you have a battery bank for anything practical, because any amount of solar panels you have will almost never be “right”. The amount of energy the sun provides vaies minute by minute. It’s absolutely possible to just hook PV panels to an inverter/controller and hook the grid to the other side so when the panels are not providing enough energy the grid makes u the difference, but what of the times when the panels are producing more energy than you need at that instant? Withour a battery bank to ‘store’ the excess energy (hey, they don;’t call it a bank for nothing
the only solution will be to somehow ‘dump’ the excess energy into something that’ 2100% wasteful, such as a bank of resistors … changing electric energy to heat. Seems to me we already have enough heat 
The object of the batteries is to let the controller convert the excess electrical energy into chemical energy which an stay in the batteries for minutes or months … then draw on that energy when your home needs are more than the panels are producing.
Don’t forget that with something like an air conditoner your load changes many times per hour by a factor of as much as 5 to 1 … the difference between the current draw when only the fan is running and when the fan and the compressor are on … and this is not predictable … you must always have excess power available when called for or you won’t be comfortable and your air conditioners will suffer from what a brown out really is … low voltage caused by excess demand (what they call a brownout in the Philippines is not, it is a black out’, the power going away due to a generator or a transmission line fault … a brownout is also called a ‘sag’ by engineers, typically the nominal 220 volt power dropping more than 10% … if line voltage drops to say 190 volts your units will slow down and overheat. Especially out in the provincial areas I am sure there are ‘brownouts’ … in fact I know there are, I run my computers on a variable transformer and I can see the sags and surges on the input dial and hear them as the unit struggles to keep its output at 220 … it made a difficult subject more difficult to understand when the Philippines decided to change the meaning of the word brownout. Again, two countries separated by a common language
BTW, that would be a hidden advantage of supplying at least part of your own energy … much cleaner and more constant power and thus longer life for appliances. here in Metro manila “220″ means anything from 180 to 240 volts or more at times, which is not good.
Sep 16, 2008 @ 06:34:00
Hi Dave – your points about the batteries are all good and valid. I probably haven’t thought it through as far as that.
What I don’t care for with batteries are the initial cost, the amount of room the will take up, the maintenance, and then the fact that they will be replaced for a good sum again.
Ideally, I would like not to use them. Practically, I might need to.
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Jun 28, 2011 @ 21:19:36
Hi guys…
Davao Teknosun Company
* Business type: retail sales, wholesale supplier, importer
* Product types: solar garden lights, solar water heating systems, solar street lighting, heat pumps, portable power systems, LED Outdoor lights.
* Address: (showroom) Sobrecary St. cor. Palma Gil, Bo. Obrero, Davao City, Davao Del Sur Philippines 8000
* Telephone: 63-82-2349413, 2341520
* FAX: 63-82-2343217
Jun 28, 2011 @ 21:39:55
Hi Kenn – do you know if that information is current? Have you visited there?
I might stop by and check it out, if they are still around.
Nov 23, 2011 @ 02:23:13
Hey, Randy.
Well, well, well. I just started looking into home solar power & look where it took me. Straight to you site
I’m currently researching it for my father-in-law’s house he plans to build in Davao (my wife is planning it for him since he currently lives in Ca). The sites I found can seem too technical for my brain. Have you heard anything new about solar energy in Davao area?
Nov 23, 2011 @ 06:35:03
Hey Macky – good to hear from you and good to know that some searches end up here.
I’ve have not looked into solar for awhile.
There is an article I keep meaning to reference regarding DOE providing solar to some homes on Samal.
Also there is a company in Davao that I’ve read of, and they may even be listed in my article. I’ll look into that and see what I have for them.
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