2012/10/11

Misconceptions About Solar Panels


Debunking Misconceptions About Solar Panels
(from TalkSolar Panels Blog in UK)

As solar power becomes a more affordable option for businesses and homeowners alike, critics and naysayers have come out of the woodworks in order to argue the feasibility of installing small solar power systems for a consumer market. Opponents to solar power will raise all kinds of arguments against the new technology, but most of their points are uneducated, inaccurate, and in some cases, flat out wrong.

A common argument against the use of consumer solar panels is the cost. Opponents of the technology insist, even as prices continue to decrease, that complete solar panel systems are still too expensive for the common homeowner. In reality, however, solar panels have actually decreased so much that small to moderate sized systems will typically pay for themselves within a few years. Larger systems may require a longer period of time.

The strongest opponents of solar power are quick to say that solar panels actually contribute to global warming. However, there are no harsh chemicals, fossil fuels, or greenhouse gases associated with the use of modern solar panel systems. In fact, the entire carbon footprint of a modern solar panel system is made during the manufacturing and transportation of such systems.

Many people, including critics and supporters alike, believe that solar panels require full, direct sunlight in order to operate an efficient level. However, solar panels actually derive their energy from the UV rays of the sun, which are strong enough to penetrate clouds, fog, and inclement weather. Moreover, cooler temperatures actually facilitate the generation and transfer of energy, which ultimately results in increased efficiency within your entire solar panel system.

Another one of the most common misconceptions about solar panel pertains to your energy storage options. Many critics of solar power contend that a large bank of batteries is needed in order to store the extraneous energy generated from your solar panel system. The fact is, however, that nearly every solar panel system in use today is still tied to the national power grid in some way or another. When not in use, your solar panels channel their energy directly into the grid, which results in a credit to your account. 

Opponents of solar panels also tend to doubt the durability and integrity of today’s solar panels. The fact is, however, that solar panels are incredibly durable and resilient. They are able to withstand a variety of hazards, including severe weather, snow, and ice – and with an average solar panel warranty of 25 years, owners are protected against most common problems.

Lastly, many critics say today’s solar panel systems are inconsistent, unreliable, and inefficient. However, a complete, professionally installed solar panel system can actually function at a level that is more consistent and reliable than your local utility service. Because there are no moving parts involved with a solar panel, the chances of a malfunction are actually quite low. 

2012/10/10

Meralco hikes October billing


Meralco hikes October billing by P0.12 per kWh

By Alena Mae S. Flores
Manila Standard - online


Manila Electric Co., the country’s biggest power distributor,  said Monday its October billing  will go up by P0.12 per kilowatt-hour due to higher generation, transmission and other pass-through costs.

Meralco said in a statement the October generation charge rose to P5.50 per kWh from P5.40 per kWh in September while transmission and other rates increased.

“Following a P1.73 per kWh reduction in power prices in September, a residential customer with a consumption of 200 kWh will see a P0.12 per kWh increase in their electric bill this October as a result of higher generation, transmission and other pass-through costs,” Meralco said.

A P0.12 per kWh hike translates into an increase of P24 in the electricity bill of Meralco customers with a monhtly consumption of 200 kWh.

The company attributed the higher generation charges to increased charges of P1.16 per kWh from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market. WESM acts as the trading floor for electricity supplies.

Meralco said electricity consumption in September increased after the holidays while rainy weather in August depressed the demand for power.

The reduction in the available generation capacity and restriction in the output of coal-fired plants due to repairs and maintenance eventually led to increases in WESM prices.

Meralco said the higher WESM charges were partly offset by lower prices from its independent power producers, whose rates decreased P0.09 per kWh, and National Power Corp., which registered a decrease of P0.22 per kWh.

Meralco’s IPPs includes First Gen Corp., Quezon Power Philippines Ltd. and DMCI Power Corp.

The WESM, IPPs and Napocor contributed 6.9 percent, 44.1 percent, and 49 percent, respectively, to Meralco’s power supply for the month of September.

Meralco said the transmission charge also went up by a slight P0.04 per kWh, mainly because of higher ancillary generation costs, which are affected by WESM charges.

2012/10/04

Philippinines Home Developers mull over building solar houses

Developers mull over building solar houses

By Alena Mae S. Flores
Manila Standard Today


Solar power developers are in talks with major property companies to build solar-powered houses that will significantly cut the homeowners’ electricity bills.

Philippine Solar Power Alliance spokesman Tetchie Capellan said discussions were ongoing with Sta. Lucia Realty and Development Inc., Fil-Estate Properties and Avida Land for the solar rooftop projects.

“As we enter 2013, we would like to focus on the solar rooftops because we believe that this is going to be a major initiative by the industry in providing solutions to our problems in the energy sector. We are working with developers for new builds. We are exploring partnership with them,” Capellan told reporters during a conference organized by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit or GIZ.

Capellan said the company was working with property developers that build housing units with cost of P3 million to P5 million and with higher power consumption than low-cost housing units.

She said the company asked developers to bundle the expesnses of the solar rooftop of around P378,000 into the housing cost.  The return on investment for the solar rooftop takes about seven years.