Isolated and Far-flung Public Schools Should Now Go to Solar Energy

By:  Gilbert M. Forbes
DepEd Quezon , IV-A CALABARZON 

Electrical power for isolated and far-flung schools (off-grid or far from power lines) now a days is already within reach through the use of solar energy.  Not only that DepEd has established partnerships with different NGO providers, but also, solar power energy hard wares' prices through the years have decreased tremendously.  

Cabul-an National High School.  A beneificiary of One Meralco Foundation.

If the school leadership wants it fast, aside from contacting or soliciting the help of possible NGO donors, what is just needed is the drive to motivate the stakeholders or the community to hold a fund drive and combine financial resources.  With this, no more queuing, no more waiting. For as low as Php25,000.00, any off-grid schools with the Parent Teacher Association on the lead could install solar power in their respective schools.  

This set-up is enough to power an LCD or LED TV, a laptop pc and an electric fan. In other words, enough to operate multi-media equipment and basic office equipment, and so the multi-media for classroom use of course.  Since, electrical power is one of the requirements of DepEd's Computerization Program; this type of electrical connection package is a good start so as to fast track the receiving of the said package.  It is also best to start small so that along the way, somebody will learn basic issues regarding its operation, performance, and maintenance.

 

Basic components of this set-up usually include a 1000-watts sine-wave inverter.  12- Volt deep cycle battery, at least 100Ah, 100-200watts monocrystaline solar panels, solar charge controller, wirings and other connecting paraphernalia.

The only major challenge in operating renewable energy system such as this is maintenance.  But all these are easy to learn as long as willingness is strong.  Electronics technicians’ even electricians could also be asked to assist and should be made to witness the installation process so that somebody in the community knows what to do, much less, the teachers.  In this manner, orientation from the installer must be part of the package.

Aside from the maintenance, the following should also be the main considerations:  First, estimated daily power usage by computing the power requirements of the gadgets and hard wares your school intend to use initially; second, budget or source of funds; third, target supplier and installer’s record; fourth, maintenance requirement; and fifth, learning the basics.   Read more at this link 5 Things to Consider When Planning to Install Solar Energy Systems

Benefits of Solar Power

Benefits of Solar power particularly in off-grid areas are simply amazing.  It would not only enable the school to use multi-media in instruction as they could already power their devices, but as long as there is a cellphone network signal, using their laptops and mobile modems could also connect itself to the internet making learning more interesting. 

They could also provide ICT instruction not only to the pupils and students but even to the community. The clean, free and renewable electricity available in the school cab become an added incentive for pupils to go to, and stay, in school since it is a place where they can also charge their cellphones while pursuing their education.

Another value added by the electrification is that it could become a revenue generator for the school’s parent-teacher-association (PTA) which they could use to maintain it and the excess in other equally important things.  More importantly, the impact that it will create to the community is imaginable, economically and socially.

Just immediately after typhoon Glenda passed his residence in Tayabas City, Quezon.  The writer immediately ventured on buying a mini solar power generator to light their sar-sari store which they are using until now.  The writer also motivated to research and read a lot on solar energy home and school installation of both off-grid and grid-tie systems. Solar energy use has now become part of his environment's personal advocacy.

5 Tips to Consider When Planning to Install Home Solar Energy Systems

By:  Gilbert M. Forbes
DepEd Quezon, CALABARZON

A series of calamities that has rocked the country resulted to the increased interest in solar power.  I myself was not excused to this because just immediately after the typhoon Glenda is over, I bought my first solar power kit consisting of a 10-watts moncrystaline panel, solar charge controller, 12-volt 7.2Ah/20hr deep cycle Panasonic battery, two 1.5 watts led d.c. light bulbs and cellphone and tablet charger.

But what are the things that should be considered when you want to venture on the use of solar power as an alternative energy source as well as an investment to help save on increasing costs of electricity?  Based on first hand experiences and readings as a result of interest on this subject, the following concerns and tips should be considered.

1.  Average daily power consumption.  If you consume 4-6kwhr electricity daily, how many of these do you intend to be replaced by the solar power output you intend to harvest.  This will be the basis of the hardware (types, cost and number of deep cycle batteries, number and wattage of solar panels, type of solar charge controller and output power of inverter) that you will need and the cost that it entails.
2. The amount of investment needed and its return.  If your using an average of 4-6kw/hr daily, you would need at least Php75k to Php100k if you intend to totally cut your reliance on grid power.  This however will not be a one- time investment because you would need to replace your batteries every two years which could be translated to range from Php25k to Php50k unless new and long lasting cheaper storage batteries are introduced to the market as such, location of residence is one thing to consider so that you can select and decide what type of system your gonna install.
3. Location of residence, off grid and within grid.  If your living off grid, meaning, far away from power lines, i.e., far flung rural areas still unreached by local utility power cooperatives or companies, islands or islets, valleys, mountains, etc., then consider the off grid type of connection mentioned in no. 2.  It is still a lot more cheaper than continue on using gen. sets ran by gasoline.  In this system, you will need deep cycle storage batteries even when let’s say you intend to use it only during the day.  The cost as stated will depend on the expected total power usage that you choose.  The good news however is that there already available 12volt d.c. appliances now a days like light bulbs, electric fans and TV sets which means requiring lesser power and dependence on the converted AC power by

   

          This is the Php3.5k solar power system consisting of 

   12v 7.2Ah/20hr deep cycle deep cycle battery, 10watts 
   solar panel, solar charge controller, two 1.5 led light bulbs

   replacing our two 25w AC ligh bulbs for an average of 3hrs 

   every night plus cp charger.

   your inverters reducing stress on your storage batteries even when you use it during the day strengthening its life-span in return.  If you’re living in grid areas, meaning within the supply zones of utility companies or cooperatives, then it is not advised to cut connection from your local utility electricity provider.  What you need is the so called ‘grid tie solar power system’ which will no longer require storage batteries reducing your cost in return.  If you’re not at home during daytime, then you may apply for the so called net metering program so that the unused electricity generated by your system will be stored or given and used by your utility provider during the day and then return or withdrawn by you at night when you already need it.  With the absence of storage batteries, you should not expect for power during brown-outs but it will surely be a good investment returns of which is expected lets say 7 to 8 years at the most and then the remaining years, consider it your profit for using electricity for free!
4. Learn the basics.  Read and learn the basics on solar energy.  You should not rely on your agent unless you know him personally so as to avoid trouble and problems.  Without the basic knowledge, you will not understand the concept of load and actual power usage which may endanger the life span of your system particularly the life span and efficiency of your storage batteries.  You will not also understand how many batteries, its needed power and ampheres and the corresponding solar panels needed.  Consider also the strength of your panels in terms of temperature and wind speed that it can withstand and its life-span.  Solar panels now a days is expected to last for 25 years  
5. Installers and suppliers track record.  Don’t be fooled by sweet, lofty even interesting marketing strategies and sales talk.  Even on perceived brand superiority and cost versus the other. Consider the track record of the suppliers, the brand they carry, their innovativeness and the integrity of the installers.

Along this line, solar power system’s use is a promising technology because of its sustainability as well as its being environment friendly for it produces no pollution.  For the past years, its cost has decreased tremendously and will continue to do so in the years ahead.