Proposed Experimental Design

for a Remedial Energy Solution

Villanueva, Boj N.
School of Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering, Mapua University, Muralla St., Intramuros, Manila
bnvillanueva@mymail.mapua.edu.ph

I. INTRODUCTION it comes to the share of electrical power, as the demand for

Nowadays, more than ever, electricity is considered to Residential power increases, while the demand for both
be a valuable resource due to the ever-more increasingly Commercial and Industrial power decrease. This leads to the
interconnected world people are living in. Access to the thought of utilizing alternative power sources and solutions for
internet, cellular services, and television news among other use in the Residential Section. Compared to the energy levels
things are the currently most popular ways that it is used. used in the Commercial and Industrial sector, the Residential
However, this does not discount electricity’s traditional role in sector uses less power, which makes alternative and renewable
powering our homes and industry. energy sources feasible for its use compared to the other two
sectors.
Taking into account Meralco’s Q1 2021 Report, it can
be seen that the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic are still For this paper in particular, Solar Power will be used
affecting both electricity generation and consumption, as both as a source for the energy to be used within the local vicinity.
the values for Consolidated Energy Sales and Net System This is due to the high ambient temperatures present within the
Output have dropped by a clear amount from their values last area, as seen by some of the following pictures, which were
year. From this, it can be seen that the common folk have been taken at around noon to late afternoon.
struggling both to get and use the electricity that they need for
their day to day use, and as such it may be a worthwhile
consideration to begin looking for alternative energy sources
and renewable power to consolidate this need.
Additionally speaking, the necessity of electrical
systems cannot be stated enough when it comes to delivering
swift and accurate healthcare solutions, especially now in the
time of a pandemic. The vaccines for the coronavirus as
especially in need of adequate electrical systems, as for
example, the Pfizer vaccine is only stable below −70∘ C, which
cannot be achieved naturally anywhere within the Philippines.
Therefore, this paper will entertain the notion of
constructing a solar-based alternative energy source, using the
researcher’s current location of Cebu. Solar Energy will be used
for this solution due to the abundance of feasible locations
within the region for harvesting solar power, as well as its
flexibility when it comes to the different ways it can be
installed, utilized, and implemented.

II. OBJECTIVES
This proposed experimental design solution will first
and foremost, aim to (1) provide a detailed and complete
solution when it comes to the implementation of the proposed
solar energy system, and (2) discuss in full detail the operation
of one such system, especially with regards to how it can
operate in said condition.
III. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
One such unforeseen consequence of the COVID-19
Pandemic is the global reduction of the demand for electricity.
Not only in the Philippines, but all over the world, governments
have been urging people to stay at home in order to lessen the
risk of Coronavirus transmission. This has created a shift when
Fig. 1. A typical afternoon in Cebu
It can be seen in these images that the atmospheric
conditions are nearly ideal for the use of solar panels, or in
technical terms, a PV module, which converts solar energy into
DC power. Through the use of photovoltaic cells, electrical
energy can be generated and applied to a variety of different
uses. If there is an inverter present, the generated electricity can
even be made use of for AC appliances and applications. The
storage capabilities of a Solar PV system cannot also be
forgotten, as on occasion, rain is a very possible scenario for
this location.

Fig. 2. High Solar Exposure even while
in the water
IV. METHODOLOGY
While there are already existing uses of Solar Power
within the Visayas region, these are often large-scale industrial
power sources made for and by the industry or the commercial
sector. Even then, these provide power on a provincial basis,
not one well suited for home use, such as that of the Solar Farm
in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, which carries a production
capacity of 250-MW.
This paper’s suggestion for a smaller localized Solar
PV system comes with the intent to make sure it is used for
individual homes and small communities. In part, this is due to
a Solar PV system being only applicable to small appliance use,
and unfit for large-scale business use, especially considering the
resources and capital available to the people of this region.
A. Electricity Generation
The main way in which electrical power is generated
through the use of Solar Energy is achieved through the usage
of PV modules. These PV modules directly generate electricity
from solar irradiation, compared to other indirect methods like
centrated and parabolic solar power collectors. The studies
shows that PV systems are far better at small scale and specific
power generation in an area, compared to the other solar power
gathering methods.
While admittedly, the power generated everyday is not
consistent and may vary depending on the sunlight levels
received, this is not that considerable of a concern due to the
lower energy requirements present for merely residential use.
The main components of a Solar Power system include
the PV Module, the main portion which converts Solar Power
into electricity, a battery to story electricity for use later, a
charge controller to protect the batter, and various DC-AC
accessories which are used to make sure that the energy
generated can be utilized by the people within the residence.
There are various types of PV technology, which are
split into generations, with different performance and efficiency
levels for each one. The first two models on the left are those
that have been in the market for some time, with commercial
success, stability and proven results within the large-scale
electricity generation schema. However, while the third on is
still in the development phase as of yet, it is believed that it may
be capable or matching or even being able to exceed the
capabilities of the other two.
Fig. 3. Different kinds of Photovoltaic Systems
Additionally, compared to the other methods of solar
power collection, and generation, the PV modules seen above
and used in general come with a lower initial investment and
installation cost, which is ideal for the location I have
suggested.
B. Features
Compared to other, more traditional avenues of power
generation, solar power comes with a generally cleaner impact
and carbon footprint. First and foremost, it does not generate
exhaust gases, nor requires much maintenance work, allowing
for the beneficiaries to be at ease during standard operating
conditions. In addition to this, there are no demands for a
standard fuel supply, as such there is a much lower running cost
for a long-term Solar PV system.
A PV system is known for its ability to reduce
transmission losses, and line resilience, which can all work
together to create a more consumer-friendly utility, which
allows for the people to reap the benefits of generating a small
fraction of it’s own power, however, this is not without its
caveats.
Compared to a large-scale power grid, individual PV
systems are incapable of massive amounts of power, which
limit their use to mainly home appliances and smaller use,
which might not benefit those who are looking to create a profit
or make a business from it. The mini centralized system is
mainly inexpensive, but both power generation and
consumption are limited to a few houses at maximum.
C. Site Feasibility
One of the biggest critical issues where the use of Solar
PV systems are concerned is site selection. This is due to the
necessity of weather factors when it comes to the amount of
electricity generated. There are several models to be considered
when it comes to choosing which locations are suitable, but the
primary considerations for such locations are as follows.
 First off, Solar PV systems require much in the way of
wide open spaces to generate maximum power capabilities,
such as insisting that the presence of tall tress or shadows be
minimized or even outright removed at all costs. This allows for
the greatest amount of exposure to solar irradiation. While the
pictures above do show a large amount of vegetation, there are
also such spaces in that location where both the conditions
above are met, such as the Toledo Solar Farm seen below. Such
spaces are not uncommon in said location.
Fig. 4. Toledo Cebu Solar Farm Aerial View
And the second, and perhaps most pressing concern
when it comes to the choice of site for a PV system is that,
usually, PV systems are considered the last resort for renewable
energy within an area. This is due to that said area having very
little in the way of potential for other sources of power such as
geothermal, hydropower, and wind. Without the possibility for
these other sources, the only one that is left is the use of Solar
PV, and for that reason, all other sources should be researched
and considered first and foremost before venturing to attempt a
Solar PV one. However, for the purposes of this experiment,
such areas are already known to be incapable of other forms of
generation, which is why Solar PV has been chosen.
While not exactly a limiting factor when it comes to
the location, it must be stated that the target group for such Solar
PV systems are mid-income level groups and above, due to the
costs required to replace the battery and maintain the system.
Additionally, the electricity for a PV system is sufficient for
home use only, and may not generate a net profit when used in
livelihood and business.
D. Home Applications
There are two major uses for Solar PV systems in the
home: a DC application and an AC application. While there are
cases to be made for both systems, it can be said that both are
invaluable in putting into practice what it means to use
renewable energy systems in the home.
Admittedly speaking each one has their own benefits
over the other, such as the DC system being more efficient, but
having to use less common appliances and light sources at
home, for less people. On the other hand, the AC Home System
requires a DC-AC Inverter, which reduces efficiency, but
allows for more easily accessible appliances to be used. The
choice of which home system to use depends on the specific
needs of the family residents present, and can change on a case-
to case basis, much like the use of a Solar PV system itself,
which changes with the weather.
Building on this, the Solar PV battery also plays a big
role when it comes to the design of the Solar Home System as
it may impact the sizing, design, and consumption. There are
several batteries in use currently for Home Systems and the
newer models allow for flexible capacity which can greatly aid
those Residences with various and ever-changing needs. Now
that Solar PV batteries are becoming more and more
application-specific and oriented, there is no doubt that both the
ease of access and use of Solar PV systems will continue to
improve in the future.
V. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First off, I would like to acknowledge Dr. Gorgonio
Vallestero for introducing this topic, which I have no doubt,
will be very important to me in the future as I begin to deal with
real-life problems and applications that I have picked up in
Mapua University. Additionally, from the life lessons given at
the end of every class, it can be said that he has not only
contributed to my skills formation, but to my values formation
as well.
Next off, I would like to acknowledge my parents for
giving me the opportunity to study here in Mapua and putting
their faith in me to pursue my dreams in life.
Lastly, I would like to thank my friends and
classmates, for through them I receive the utmost support when
it comes to the endeavors that I so choose.
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