Philippines eyed as rich market for solar power systems

CEBU, Philippines - A Japanese-Korean company has entered the Philippine market initially bringing in Japanese technology solar panels in Cebu.

Again Group is engaged in manufacturing renewable energy devices.

Again Group chief executive Masato Nishiyama was in Cebu yesterday to announce the company's agressive penetration in the Philippine market via the establishment of  Again Philippines Information Co.

Nishiyama said aside from the solar energy systems, the company will also be bringing in the latest technology in energy efficiency devices such as airconditioning and LED lighting, which the company also manufactures.

Nishiyama said the Philippines is one of the most fertile market in Asia for solar power system considering its mostly sunny weather and unstable power supply.

Unlike what is currently available in the market today, Again Philippines said what sets them apart is that aside from the solar panels, the company also offers complete services from installation, converter, and after sales service.

Since its entry last year, API Co., Ltd president Elenita S. Ompad said the company has already installed solar panels in high-end subdivisions and commercial establishments in Cebu. They have also clinched a multi-million-peso wholesale deal with a local client for a solar farm business.

Ompad said API is banking on the quality of Japanese technology and long term warranty and after-service package.

API's 1x1.2 sized solar plate for instance is pegged at an average of P45 thousand. This panel could produce 250-315 -watt electricity.

Approximated efficiency of the solar panel is at least 25 to 35 years or more. Customers' return-of-investment (ROI) is six years.

With its headquarters in Japan, the company also maintains a manufacturing plant and operations in Korea and also markets in UAE.

In the next few months, the company will set up offices in Manila, General Santos, Davao and other major cities in the Philippines. It will also invest in developing more credible partners and distributors around the country to promote its products.

Meanwhile, the Visayan Electric Company (VECO) reported a significant increase of applicants for its net-metering scheme.

The net-metering scheme is the first non-fiscal incentive mechanism under the Renewable Energy (RE) Act of 2008. It is a billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid.

The scheme allows house owners and commercial establishments to install solar photovoltaic panels and partly satisfy their electricity demand. The excess power that they generate is delivered to the utility and used to offset the customer’s electricity consumption.

The basic concept of the net metering is that if the consumption exceeds generation, customers only pay for the net per kilowatt-hour consumed. (FREEMAN)