Solar Power Has Come of Age

By Herbert Vego

THE cleanest source of renewable energy, hopefully cheaper, will soon be available in Iloilo City as a result of the deal inked between MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) and Urban Energy Development Corporation (UEDC).

UEDC, a subsidiary of Mabuhay Holdings Corporation (circa 1988), is in the process of “growing” two solar farms — one in Anilao, Iloilo and another in Tagbilaran City – that would literally spread the sunshine to empower electricity consumers.

For MORE Power, Iloilo City’s distribution utility, it means bringing in 6.6 megawatts of solar energy to Iloilo City sometime next year.

“This partnership is part of our continuing mission to lead Iloilo towards a more sustainable energy future,” MORE Power President and CEO Roel Z. Castro told the Daily Guardian. “We are driving the transition to a cleaner energy future.”

Since solar electricity relies on the sun as its fuel source, there is no need to drill for petroleum-based fuels, refine them, or deliver them to the site.

“Solarization” is the process of converting the sun’s energy into electricity through solar photovoltaic (PV) modules or solar panels. It has no moving parts, making maintenance costs low, and they are highly reliable with a long service life.

Since it can be paired with rechargeable batteries for energy storage that is good for a few hours, a solar electric system can be independent of the utility grid, making them cost-effective for remote locations.

It may also work hand in hand with the distribution utility through net metering to assure continuity of electricity at night or during “sunless” days.

Net metering in a solar system refers to a billing mechanism that allows homeowners and businesses with solar panels to send excess electricity they generate back to the grid and receive credit on their electricity bills. It may generate more electricity than the home uses during daylight hours. Hence, it’s like getting paid for the extra solar energy produced.

Today’s good news is that the prices of solar panels have significantly decreased over the past decade, making it a viable alternative to coal and oil.

Meanwhile, a home solar set-up may now be available on an investment of around ₱575,000 for 50 square meters of roof space, according to Buskowitz Energy, a solar panel dealer in Makati City.

But with a distribution utility like MORE Power coming to the rescue, monthly electricity bills could go lower.  At present, MORE Power charges ₱10.52 per kilowatt-hour on power produced by coal and geothermal plants.

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SOTTO DOING GOOD FOR THE COUNTRY?

COMEBAKING Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III sounds like a knight in shining armor each time he opens his mouth against Senate President Chiz Escudero, who has been delaying the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte over erroneous reasons.

First, he rebuked Escudero for entertaining the notion that the Senate as an impeachment court may vote by a majority rule to dismiss the case without trial.

“Only the defense or prosecution counsel can file such motions,” he said.

As repeatedly espoused by legal luminaries like retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, the Senate as impeachment court has no choice but to hear the impeachment case and decide whether the accused is guilty or not guilty.

While we really do not know what’s in Tito’s mind for clashing with Chiz, it is already public knowledge that he is interested in dethroning the latter.

Tito is one good example of a politician who goes where the wind blows.  In the six years of the Rodrigo Duterte presidency, for example, he never spoke out against the President who had endorsed him to be elected Senate President in May 2018.

This time, will President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. give him the same favor?

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FAREWELL, THREE GOOD FRIENDS

THIS week, three of our personal friends have passed on to the afterlife – Atty. Edgar Gil, 91, chief legal officer of the Iloilo City Government; Lolit Solis, 78, my fellow journalist in the entertainment beat in Manila; and Limuel Celebria, 69, my fellow columnist here in Daily Guardian.

“It hurts to say goodbye,” so goes a song.

But it makes us smile to know that we will say “hello” again to them in God’s time.