Nov 30 2010
Philippines Department of Energy (DOE) announced that it expects to energize nearly 2,650 additional houses in the country’s remote areas by utilizing solar energy. The DOE will pursue the solar energy project after attaining success in the Village Electrification program.
Officials from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), DOE Visayas, and eight African countries paid a visit to the Solar Home System (SHS) project, which is located in Alumar Island, Getafe, Bohol. The Alumar Island project, costing P500,000 was distributed by the University of San Carlos, Getafe municipal government, JICA, and DOE.
Senior Specialist of DOE Visayas, Magdaleno Baclay, stated that the agency was utilizing Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) for its rural electrification program. However, DOE will use LED for the 2,650 houses. He added that LED is suitable for solar-generated power because it would illuminate even in 1 W.
Information Officer of DOE Visayas, Lou Arciaga, stated that the cost of each solar panel ranges between P5000 and P6000.