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FEASIBILITY

Solar energy has seen tremendous development in recent years

towards fulfilling the energy requirements of our planet.

Solar electricity generation is preferred due to its long term benefits

and environmental friendly. In line with the importance of harvesting
solar radiation as an alternative source, the study of solar photovoltaic
technology is vital in increasing the current efficiency of total energy
harvested from the sun. One way of doing this is by improving the
intensity of radiation collected from the source by solar tracking.
Although it is said to be expensive, if the efficiency is increased, the
cost will be reduced indirectly. This is important for the survivability and
viability of such a system, in order to maintain the sustainability of this
technology. In the near future, solar tracking will become the most
viable technology in solar energy harvesting to help boost the current
capacity to an amount larger alongside wind power and biomass
power generation systems. 1

There are many factors that affect the performance of solar panels, ,
e.g. overheating due to excessive exposure to solar irradiance in a hot
climate as in Sunbelt countries. The used mathematical model is
validated experimentally and then applied for several environments,
i.e. hot as well as cold regions. It has been found that the gain in
electrical energy from tracking the sun is about 39% in case of a cold
city as Berlin, Germany. While the gain in energy does not exceed 8% in
case of a hot city as Aswan, Egypt, due to overheating of the solar
panels. 2

1 Ahmad, Power Feasibility of a Low Power Consumption Solar Tracker, 2012

2 Eldin, Feasibility of solar tracking systems for PV panels in hot and cold regions, 2015
Nonetheless, the Philippine Government has embarked on continuous
effort in the development of Renewable Energy (RE) through various
support and promotion programs.

Solar energy provides an immediate solution to the country’s energy

woes. It is the only cost-effective technology that can be installed and
commissioned in as short as a few days to a few months. According to
the EPIA, a 1-MW solar power plant can be installed in as short as six
weeks, while smaller systems only take a day to install. 3

Solar facilities are also easy to put up, scalable, and relatively
unobtrusive. Contrary to what some perceive, solar technology is not
restricted to square and flat panels. Solar facilities can be shaped and
bent, allowing these to be more easily integrated into housing and
building designs. Solar panels can also be placed on rooftops and
other parts of a building to provide power to such establishments
without taking up too much space. These solar panels are also
relatively maintenance-free. 4

The Philippines is well positioned for solar energy, not just in terms of
geography. It also has a lot of room to take advantage of the
investments and jobs that can be created by future solar power
installations, as well as look forward to cheaper and cleaner power
that is not affected by geopolitics. Reducing fuel consumption makes
solar an economically viable electricity source for Philippine consumers
and industries. 5

The country can also take advantage of its abundant sunlight.

According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the

3 Facts and Figures on Solar Energy in the Philippines Project Development Programme (PDP) Southeast Asia,
2013
4 Supra Note 3
5 Supra
Philippines' average solar radiation ranges from 128-203 watts per
square meter, or an average of 161.7 watts per square meter, based
on sunlight duration. 6

This translates to potential power generating capacity of 4.5-5.5 kWh

per square meter per day. Both the northern and southern parts of the
country provide ideal locations for installing solar power facilities. The
northern part of the country has enough sunlight to generate an
average of 4.5-5 kWh per square meter per day, while areas in the
south can produce an average of 5-5.5 kWh per square meter of solar
power per day. 7

Baguio City is one of the recorded cities that produced electricity using
a solar charger. That through the solar insulation values recorded
throughout April 2014, Baguio City is one of the most productive for
solar energy harvest with a peak of over 7kWh/m2/day. 8

SOLAR PANEL v. GENERATOR

Solar power generator is better since it is more efficient. The solar panel
is just there absorbing power from the emitted UV rays whereas in
generators, the owner must buy diesel in order for the generator to
work.

The Saint Louis University is in partners with the BENECO in harnessing

the solar power as electricity. As by agreement, any charge that is
collected in excess and not needed by the university will be given to
BENECO.

6 Supra
7 Supra
8 Malicdem, Optimal Tilt of Solar Panels in the Philippines, 2015
FUN FACT: The solar energy that is being collected by the solar panels
are part of the National Wealth of the Philippines, and thus they can be
subjected to public domain.

With SLU adopting Solar Energy as its source of electricity, it is a good

gesture in there part as they somewhat show that they care about the
environment.

Solar panels are costly but they are good investment. They can last for
up to 25 years. However, the solar panels suffer 0.5% to 1% efficiency
loss every year. Thus, after 25 years, 4 out of 5 solar panels are still
working with 75% efficiency. After 25 years, the best thing to do is that
replace old materials with new ones as this keeps updating. Also, one
does not necessarily do this after 25 years, one can keep in check his
solar panels especially its inverter and the battery.

Solar power generator is environmentally friendly because it does not

produce toxic fumes. No moving parts. That makes for silent operation.
It also makes for a lower maintenance system. Parts that don’t move
don’t wear out so fast.once the solar generator is up to full speed, it will
run day and night without any input from you. During the day, the
electricity charges the batteries and excess powers your equipment. At
night, the batteries power your equipment. As long as there’s enough
daylight every day, it just goes on and on.

Gas generators put out a large amount of electricity and easy to

operate. Gas generators and instant and reliable, and considered to
be the most practical for running high-wattage appliances. This does
not depend on weather or the presence of light rays.

Diesel generators often last for 10,000 to 30,000 hours. For decades-long
lifespans, preventative maintenance on a regular basis, high-quality
fuel and proper sizing is needed.
Regularly examining and cleaning components as part of monthly and
yearly maintenance extends the life of the generator set. Preventative
maintenance also includes oil changes, removing water from your fuel
tank and replacing filters throughout your generator. A generator lasts
longer when its power-producing capabilities match the needs of the
building it’s powering. Too large and the generator’s life will be shorted
by wet stacking and carbon buildup. Too small and the resulting strain
on the generator’s components will reduce its life expectancy. The
useful life of diesel generator may be shorter than the number of hours
the generator set is capable of operating. 9

9 Chainsaw Journal, 2019