Solar energy
DUE to its continued dependence on expensive imported fossil fuels, the Philippines remains among the countries with the “highest” electricity rates in the world.
In fact, saddening and lamentable are reports that many foreign businessmen are reluctant to invest in the country because of this high cost of electricity.
Not only that. People, notably the ordinary citizens, find the power rates too high considering today’s economic hardship brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
That’s why various quarters commended Sen. Grace Poe for pushing for the promotion of “rooftop solar” not only in the impoverished countryside but elsewhere.
The soft-spoken but highly-articulate lady lawmaker is author of Senate Bill (SB) 581, otherwise known as the proposed “Solar Rooftop Adoption Act of 2019.”
But despite its many potential benefits, what is certainly baffling is the lack of interest in promoting “rooftop solar” in the Philippines, according to Senator Poe.
Poe said that summer is usually the season for higher energy demand and costlier electricity bills in the country.
“But we should also see it as a renewed opportunity to promote technology that harnesses energy from the sun, when it is most available,” the senator added.
We share Poe’s view that the extra sunlight during the summer months brings additional costs to households, with the frequent use of electric fans and air-conditioning units.
However, people can offset the additional costs by setting up rooftop solar panels to generate electricity.
Indeed, solar power is seen to be turned into the cheapest source of new electricity generation.
