With solar energy, the sun shines brighter than ever

MANILA, Philippines - Thanks to Solar Techno Design Solutions Inc., a local company that vigorously promotes the use of solar energy, more and more homes and businesses will soon realize the load of benefits from harnessing the power of the sun.

At present, the company has an impressive line-up of products branded as “Solar Grid,” which ranges from simple consumer devices to high-end generator systems.

“We want every household to own a solar-powered generator. That’s really our goal,” said architect Alexander Co, co-founder of Solar Techno Design Solutions Inc. and principal architect of AGC Design Concept.

“If every household will have a solar-powered generator, then they will have alternative power that’s environment-friendly and with less emission. The effect is global,” Co added.

Two years ago, Co and business partners Dennis Sia and Tammy Lin ventured into a different kind of trade that would infuse solar power energy into architecture, using solar-powered products from China, United States and Taiwan.

The result is a partnership that advocates importing environment-friendly products that provide an alternative source of power, and targeting markets that include commercial, residential, and the agriculture (farming) sectors. 

In the past, consumers have only identified solar power with calculators and water heaters. Now there are solar-powered generators that can best replace regular gas and diesel-fed generators.

“If you have a deep well in a remote area where there is no electricity, with no chance of getting water, then the solar power generator is the best alternative source of energy to help draw up the water,” Co said.

He added that some remote areas have availed themselves of the solar-powered generator and enjoyed its benefits.

On its full capacity, a 3KW solar generator system can power up to 80 percent of LED light fixtures in a household plus an equivalent of a refrigerator, an electric fan, a couple of computers and a water pump for a full day before the batteries run low.

Co said solar-powered generators do not emit noise, vibrations or harmful emissions, with almost low to no maintenance, and battery life lasts up to three years.

Another product that the company is excited about is the solar panel, usually mounted on rooftops or on the ground.

“It is a very customizable system. On a direct set-up (without a battery) smaller devices connected to solar panels are efficiently powered because they require less load than what the panels produce. Other bigger appliances such as televisions or refrigerators may call for more solar panels as they require a more stable voltage,” Co said.

The size of the solar panel depends on how much electric load is connected to the battery. He said calculating the watt-hour or amp-hour consumers use in a period of time, and the amount of direct sunlight the solar panels can collect daily will give consumers an idea of how much they need. 

Co described the solar panels these days as smaller but very efficient, with no worries even on cloudy days because it will still produce electricity out of the so-called “diffused” light, though production is not as high when it is sunny.

The solar panel is also durable and could last more than 25 years, and maintained by simply wiping dust and other debris regularly. Monthly cleaning with water for rooftop or on-ground solar panels and wiping with cotton cloth for smaller solar panels is recommended.

But beyond that, solar-powered products can really help save up on electric bills by as much as 35 to 50 percent. “When we ventured into this business, we considered how to save electricity. And there’s no effective alternative source than solar energy,” Co said.

He added that the company has conducted feasibility studies and surveys on solar-powered products based on German technology.

He said the Philippines is behind other countries in terms of solar power reception, but with a vigorous “education” campaign, the country can catch up fast in terms of full acceptance.

“I think three to five years from now, Filipinos will be fully aware of the solar power’s benefits. In China and Taiwan, even in Japan and Australia, solar energy is very popular,” he said.

Co encouraged consumers to start with affordable and easy-to-use sun-powered small devices. “We have chargers for people on the go, and then we have light bulbs. In fact, we have a suitcase-styled solar panel so if you are on a vacation, you can bring your 100-watt solar panel which can power a portable television and electric fan,” he said.

Solar Techno Design Solutions Inc. is a provider of fully integrated, cost-effective solar energy solutions. Established in December 2012, it is backed up by renowned international companies such as Nexus Energy Solutions, and PV Cycle Association, among others, all at the forefront in the field of clean, safe, affordable and renewable energy.

Its other products include solar-powered flashlights, solar flashlight radio, hand-charging solar battery radio, LED lights, portable solar lighting systems, solar charger for digital products, solar lawn lamps, solar garden lamps, and solar street lamps.

Solar Techno Design Solutions Inc. is located at Unit F, 7th Floor, One Joroma Place, Congressional Ave. corner San Beda St., Quezon City. Call 455-0810, 964-9444, or 0917-8088937, e-mail at [email protected]. or visit its website www.solargridph.com.