SPECKS OF LIFE – Solar resource will solve power crisis

Since the early nineties when the power crisis engulfed our tiny nation, government efforts to combat this exasperating dilemma have never been resolutely focused. Every time the problem is initially licked, the government suddenly stops on its tracks, makes a U-turn and forgets that the same headache still remains.
The EPIRA law passed during the FVR years solved the energy lack at the time but later on proved not to be that wholly effective.
From a distance, we might appreciate the approaches to the energy crisis as palliative because year in, year out, Filipinos are bugged by incessant brownouts. Not only have the brownouts become a perennial issue that haunted every other administration since the Cory Aquino days, the power lack had also sucked us out of our comfort zones.
Every major island is now disturbingly affected including Luzon and the Visayas and notably Mindanao.
As far back as we can all remember, our government (our country and people) has been accustomed to depend entirely on oil imports from the OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries), in particular from the Middle East like Saudi Arabia and then years later, from other sources like China and Venezuela.
I wonder if our government planners realize that the Philippines is located in the tropics where free solar energy from the sun directly hits all of the country’s more than 7,000 islands.
I’m not aware if there has been a sweeping effort from the executive branch – the Department of Energy – to devote its men and materials in carving out a master plan that will utilize this indigenous resource by setting up solar farms nationwide.
A few solar plants are now in existence. One was built in Ormoc City on April 2015 that generates 30 MW, the second in Cadiz City (Negros Occidental) with a 132.5 MW capacity and the third was the recently-turned on Tarlac Solar Power Project with 50MWs.
As per initial reports, the TSPP is expected to generate 78,070 megawatt hours per year and is approximated to provide clean energy to 31,700 household, saving over 47,800 tons of carbon (CO2) emissions every year. Wow!
Should not the DOE take the lead in encouraging commercial ventures of solar farms in small scale by Filipino businessmen from where families and households around them and within reach may subscribe cheap electricity consumption?
The two hottest areas, according to PAGASA, are Cagayan Valley in the north and Gen. Santos City in Southern Mindanao.
Ironically, I don’t know if there are solar plants or solar farms situated in the above-mentioned geographical points. It is a pity that the DOE has not gone nationwide to preach the gospel of solar farms especially in remote barangays.
Solar panels may be installed on rooftops. The costs may be unnerving initially but in the long run, solar resource becomes much cheaper.
We have the highest electricity costs in all of Asia which make it more imperative to utilize solar energy.
Solar panels are either manufactured in South Korea, Germany, Japan, the US and other advanced Western countries.
If only the DOE will lead the way and makes these solar panels available locally at affordable prices, I do not see why each and every Filipino household would not take advantage of the opportunity.
More important than their commercial viability and profitability, these solar plants and solar farms are also very environment-friendly. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) God bless the Philippines!