• 7 months ago
Imus, Cavite — Paul and Ella Baes share the installation process of their home's solar energy power system that is now saving them a lot of money.

Besides the money being saved after turning rooftops into power plants, solar panels are a fantastic way to reduce your carbon footprint and be nicer to the environment. The system also requires small to no maintenance at all. So there's no surprise why solar panels are becoming more and more popular. But you must know, that while it's a game-changing investment for the long haul, it needs extensive preparation.

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Transcript
00:00But it was significantly reduced from Php 12,000 to Php 15,000.
00:05It's only around Php 2,500, sometimes Php 2,000.
00:10And we're using ACs almost 24x7.
00:14We were really surprised how effective the solar panels are.
00:22Hello, I'm Paul Carlo Baez.
00:24I'm 33 years old.
00:26I'm a software engineer.
00:28And this is my wife.
00:30Hi, I'm Ella.
00:3233 years old, senior recruitment consultant.
00:38Solar power system is using solar panels,
00:42utilizing the solar energy coming from the sunlight.
00:46We also have this inverter device
00:48that converts from direct current to alternating current.
00:53So the alternating current is the usable electricity power
00:58that can be used in appliances at home.
01:04This is one of the devices that is included in our solar power system.
01:09So this is an inverter.
01:12It's already upgraded to 8 kilowatt-hour capacity.
01:16Actually, we don't move much here.
01:19What's important is the green indicator,
01:22meaning it's harvesting energy from sunlight.
01:25So like right now, it's raining,
01:28it's still harvesting, but not at 100% efficiency.
01:34Actually, we have three types of systems,
01:36on-grid, off-grid, and the hybrid system.
01:40So on-grid, you are still relying on the public utility grid.
01:45Off-grid is normally used in provinces,
01:49where their power source is not reliable.
01:52This is much more expensive, normally.
01:55The hybrid system is more expensive,
01:57which is the combination of on- and off-grid.
02:00So the only advantage is that on-grid,
02:03when you have excess harvest,
02:05this is what we apply to Meralko via a net metering application.
02:10So this is Meralko's credit system,
02:12that if ever there's too much harvest,
02:14they can reduce the bill.
02:16When it comes to off-grid,
02:18whether it's morning or night,
02:20you can supply electricity for your household.
02:24While on-grid, you rely heavily on daylight.
02:27So when it comes to hybrid, this is the combination.
02:30So this is the most optimal,
02:32but also the most expensive system.
02:39I actually work in France.
02:41Working abroad, I've seen solar panels with my French colleagues,
02:47and they're happy when they've been able to harvest for 3 or 4 months.
02:51Since in Europe, there are 4 seasons,
02:54so the time for summer is limited.
02:56And I realized that in the Philippines,
02:59more than 6 months summer,
03:01why don't we do this?
03:04So when I came back here in Manila,
03:07we were also planning to build our home.
03:14Way back when we didn't have solar panels,
03:17our bill usually ranges from Php 12,000 to Php 15,000.
03:22It was significantly reduced.
03:24Technically, it's still big,
03:26because we're still in the process of application of net metering.
03:30So it took a while, about 2 to 3 months,
03:33before our net metering was fixed.
03:36But it was significantly reduced from Php 12,000 to Php 15,000.
03:41It's only around Php 2,500, sometimes Php 2,000.
03:45And we're using ACs almost 24-7.
03:49We were really surprised how effective the solar panels were
03:54in reducing the bill.
03:57And it's a big help because we just finished house construction.
04:01It's a big thing that you didn't think of your monthly electrical bill.
04:06And after our net metering,
04:09that's when we experienced the zero bill.
04:12So I think it's been 6 months since the net metering was done,
04:19and we've already experienced the zero bill for 6 months.
04:24Challenges during installation?
04:26Actually, none.
04:28Because other than the panels being too heavy,
04:31we really needed a lot of installers.
04:33Our two contractors helped when they were lifting the panels,
04:37and they ensured that no sharp or metal object would hit the panels.
04:43The design of our roofing is not that inclined.
04:48So it's not too sloped.
04:50It's a bit flat.
04:51That's what we chose during the construction
04:54because it's easier to install the panels
04:56and the angle for the solar panels is better.
05:00So I don't think we have a challenge.
05:03Because it's well-planned.
05:05And we incorporated it while building the house.
05:09I think the only challenge for those people
05:11who would start using or purchasing a house
05:16would be how they would place their solar panels on the roof.
05:25It's zero maintenance.
05:27Maybe it's just the usual check-up every now and then just to check.
05:31But right now, I believe the rain itself already washes out
05:37whatever needs to be removed.
05:40And that's already the maintenance.
05:42So it's super low to zero maintenance.
05:45We never permit the contractor that we have a problem
05:48or that we need to maintain the panels.
05:51There's also an application on the phone that you can access.
05:58The overall cost of the installation would be around Php 200,000.
06:03Php 100,000 for the panels, right?
06:06And then Php 50,000 for the installation of the panels.
06:09So the remaining cost is for the net metering application.
06:14The net metering is a credit program.
06:19If you have excess harvest,
06:22they can deduct it from your future or next bill
06:26so that you can pay less to them.
06:29So the applications, the fees,
06:32so overall, it's around Php 200,000.
06:35Our ROI is around 3.5 years.
06:39But currently and ever since,
06:42our bill is zero with Meralko.
06:46How to apply?
06:48The process for having a solar power system is easy.
06:52You just need to assess which system is applicable to your house.
06:57You just need to acquire or confirm with the contractor
07:02the system of your preference.
07:04And then they will be the one to assess how much capacity
07:08based on your historical usage and consumption.
07:13They will advise you on the recommended kilowatt hour capacity
07:19that you will be using for the house.
07:22And I think that's the most critical part
07:25because the contractor will be the one to design and install.
07:29So you just need to wait.
07:32What's good about us is that while we're doing the house,
07:35the construction,
07:37the solar power system is also installed in parallel.
07:41Meaning, our two contractors can talk to each other
07:45about what the solar contractor needs to do
07:48to reinforce our roofing system.
07:51So that's what the contractor does.
07:53He makes it stronger because the panels are a bit heavy.
08:03Cons is, it's an investment.
08:06So for those people who are just planning, save up.
08:10Because it's really costly to have an installation like that.
08:14But the pros is in the long term.
08:18Because since you'll be harvesting electricity,
08:22especially with a tropical country like ours,
08:25you'll experience having zero bill in the future.
08:29I think that's the pros for me.
08:31Aside from what Vi mentioned,
08:35the electrical freedom.
08:37You don't have to worry about the monthly electricity cost.
08:41So if you were conscious before,
08:44let's limit the use of air conditioning.
08:48Now, even 24x7, it's okay.
08:51It's more compatible.
08:53You don't have to think about it.
08:55Let's harvest.
08:58My advice? Go for it.
09:00It's an investment.
09:02But at the same time, it's all worth it.
09:05If you're really planning long term savings,
09:09solar power system, that investment would really help.
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