In the Philippines, over 90 percent of households are already powered with electricity or at least have access to it. Homes and businesses are connected with on-grid systems where there is no problem with electric supply even in times of calamities like super typhoons, earthquakes, and flash floods. The remaining 10 percent are left with no available power supply to rely on during these times. This percentage may be small—however, it still covers many isolated islands, secluded communities tucked in hills and valleys, and other places which are away from on-grid systems. 

Solar energy in off-grid places

But gone are the days when people settle with darkness throughout the night. Remote communities are now given the power supply thanks to solar power technology where the power supply is generated from the sun and is stored for the whole community to have access to 24/7.

An off-grid system requires battery storage which can last throughout the year and are enough to supply households whatever season it is. Be it during the rainy season or come summertime, blackouts are no longer an option. 

Before, when there was still little knowledge about solar energy technology, the cost of batteries and inverters are high, making it an expensive move to make. Not everyone is open to the idea of shelling out investment money for such a new trend. 

But with the public and private partnerships done in the past years, innovations are brought to these communities, eventually lowering down costs. People are more open with the fact that the way to cheaper and more eco-friendly consumption of electricity is through clean energy from the sun. It also helps that the market for off-grid systems is growing with the help of innovative minds who brought this transformative solution in the country. People consider harvesting renewable energy not only in isolated places but even in the cities where there is a movement to think of a way to live sustainably.

A green leader in solar power technology

SunSmart, the Philippines’ leading expert in providing off-grid and hybrid solar power systems and stations, is a renewable energy company that has been in the industry for the past five years. Although relatively young in the industry, it has brought significant breakthroughs in the country’s solar technology landscape with its innovation. transformative, and sustainable solutions for residential, industrial, commercial, and agricultural requirements.

Powering off-grid places in various regions in the country is what SunSmart aims for. More than the products that are internationally at par and topnotch services it has to offer, it sets a mission to reach even the farthest area in the country and provide solar power solutions so there will be no household left in total darkness.

SunSmart takes pride in its Mini-Grid Solar approach—where there is a renewable energy power station that is shared by households within a developed community. In this mini-grid system, the controller, battery, and inverter are all intelligently designed and innovatively integrated into just one system. This system is compact, portable, a lightweight box with more powerful functions and features capable to provide a 24/7 renewable source of power supply.

With this approach, there is no need to install solar panels in the households’ respective roofs, which may cause them a lot if done independently. The mini-grid system is made to have a centralized solar power supply with cheaper and cleaner electricity for everyone within the community. Everyone benefits from the clean energy brought by the sun in a more convenient and economically friendly way. 

Having this in a community holds a list of benefits—from having reliable electricity 24/7 and practicality in terms of expenses compared to direct paying of utility to being a catalyst of protecting the environment against the harmful effects of greenhouse emission. SunSmart is deeply rooted in its values to uphold such advocacies in all of its endeavors. 

Through SunSmart’s smart technology, streets are lighted with solar lights in a village in Pampanga, a far and vast off-grid property in La Union is lighted with sustainable energy, and roofs in a Boracay community are powered with renewable energy. All these and many other projects around the country are proof that it is possible to live a sustainable life with clean and renewable energy.  

With solar power technology solutions, off-grid communities are given endless opportunities for a sustainable and economically viable life. 

To know more about SunSmart and its products and services, you may visit https://www.sunsmartisp.com/ or contact support@sunsmartisp.com. 

What are solar PV panels?

Let’s start off with knowing about solar PV (photovoltaic) panels and what do they do. To collect renewable and clean energy from the sun, you must need solar panels. Photovoltaic in solar panels refer to the photovoltaic cells found in them that are connected together. When the sun shines over these cells that are mostly made up of silicone, a field of electricity is created. 

These are mounted in roofs, garages, or sometimes in a vast field of solar power farm for larger scale.

Not all solar panels are created equal. They vary from what they are made of, the solar inverter it uses, and where they should be mounted.

Monocrystalline solar panels

If you are looking for an efficient type that converts light into energy, monocrystalline silicon solar panels are the best option. This type of solar PV panel gives the highest productivity when it comes to the rate of converting energy. They perform in peak not only during strong light and heat but even in low and weak light conditions, making it the perfect option for erratic weather in tropical countries like the Philippines.

You no longer have to think of whether it can harvest during a cloudy day as its productivity rate has been proven to go a notch higher than other types of solar PV panels available in the market. 

Monocrystalline solar panels come with a beautiful and sleek design, instantly revamping your roof’s aesthetics. Aside from its brilliant beauty, it also has a longevity of up to three decades which is definitely a major thumbs up for an investment.

Due to its productivity and efficiency, monocrystalline solar panels are a common pick for people who have limited spaces. They are often found in mixed-used areas of residential and commercial. 

Saving electricity

One of the ways to reduce expenditures is by saving electricity. We live in a time when people consume electricity more at home due to lockdowns and health protocols. People are now working from home. Students are now remotely learning from the comforts of their home-study areas. Conferences and gatherings are done virtually in a fast-paced environment. Thus, this brings households into a busy state. Computers, cellphones, and laptops are being charged simultaneously, on top of household appliances such as air-conditioners, refrigerators, and other kitchen appliances, resulting in a spike in monthly bill consumption.

If you are looking into ways on how to save electricity during this time, here are four simple and smart tips you can follow:

How to get free electricity?

Your journey to a solar-powered household starts from awareness—from recognizing the objectives of adopting more sustained energy consumption to how solar energy is sourced from the sun and its process of harvest. It is important to be well-informed before making this crucial step as this also consumes your time, effort, and most of all, your hard-earned money. 

Solar PV (photovoltaics) panels are needed to get free electricity. With these in place either on your roof, at your garage, or a designated solar panel field for a larger scale, the energy that comes from the sunlight is converted to electricity. As the sun shines onto a solar panel, the sunlight’s energy is absorbed by the PV cells and creates electrical charges. 

From small to large appliances to even the entire house and the whole community in general, solar panels can bring free electricity for everyone depending on the capacity of the product.

Here’s a list of the perks of having free electricity in your home and in the community:

No more dreaded brownouts

With clean and renewable energy stored, there is no need to worry about erratic electric supply and abrupt brownouts. Store renewable energy makes you prepared for emergencies. This is common in the Philippines, with it being a tropical archipelago that is frequented by super typhoons and other catastrophes. Having solar energy is also important especially in off-grid communities where there is a lack of electric sources. 

A solar panel that has the capability to hold limitless capacity is a good investment. It provides unlimited free electricity whether there is only low and weak light. Be it a day of strong sunlight or a cloudy day, you can be sure to harvest the same amount of energy. 

Save electricity, save money

Having free electricity boosts your savings. You no longer have to think of shelling out big chunks of money for high electricity bills per month, especially if you are in a household or company that requires a large power capacity. You only need to invest one time for the purchase of solar panels, for installment, and its maintenance. Other than this, you are set to enjoy the long-term advantages of it, including saving electricity money which is ultimately rewarding and fulfilling.  

It can also be noted that installing solar panels for solar energy harvesting is part of home improvement, thus giving your home an increase in its value not only now but in the future—definitely something worthy of investment. 

Solution for sustainability

Aside from this, renewable power drives everyone to live with sustainability—something vital especially for people who are living in off-grid areas in the country where there has been a rampant lack of power sources. Most local government agencies and bureaus seek the installation of solar panels in remote areas to address this concern. 

With clean and free energy from the sun, people in far-flung areas no longer have to live in total darkness. There is no need to walk miles just to charge a mobile phone or for students to only study during daylight. Even at nighttime, people’s lives are elevated with the presence of electricity in their households, allowing them to do more—all for free.