Solar Philippines to lease solar panels to boost use in business, households

Solar Philippines to lease solar panels to boost use in business, households

IN a bid to make solar panels affordable and more accessible to Filipinos,
Solar Philippines is now offering these panels at zero up-front cost, via a
lease rate less the electricity savings.

While the company has already implemented similar schemes for mall chains
like SM, this marks the first time in the country that "solar leasing" will
be available even for households and small businesses.

Solar Philippines said this would enable Filipinos to save between 20
percent and 30 percent on electricity at no cost. The company will initially
target Manila, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Bacolod, Palawan, Mindoro and other
cities with the most expensive electricity.

"While some people want to save Planet Earth, everyone wants to save on
electricity, and we hope this new model can bring solar panels from 1
percent of rooftops to 100 percent in a few years," Solar Philippines
President Leandro Leviste said. "Given this, we are extending our financing
and technology to any groups and individuals who wish to partner with us in
marketing 'solar leasing' in their area."

Solar Philippines has long advocated for lowering the cost of solar power in
the Philippines via vertical integration. Last month it opened the first
solar-panel factory. The company is now working on convincing utilities
across the Philippines to shift to solar, but notes the challenges of
introducing new technology to a highly traditional society.

"Utilities continue to sign up with expensive coal, gas and diesel, despite
the fact that solar is already cheaper," Leviste said. "It may be more
practical for solar farms with batteries to supply the utilities, who supply
consumers. But until utilities divorce fossil fuel, going direct to
consumers is a necessary step. We hope that, when they see millions of
Filipinos choosing solar over fossil fuel, they, too, will shift to
cost-saving renewable energy [RE]," Leviste said.

The promotion of renewable energy and reduction of electricity rates are
both central to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001. The
Renewable Energy Act of 2008 also supports the empowerment of consumers to
choose RE in meeting their energy requirements.

Solar Philippines, which aims to make the Philippines a global leader in
solar power, has completed the Calatagan Solar Farm and projects with SM and
Robinsons Malls. It plans to complete this year over 300 megawatts of solar
farms in Tarlac, Batangas and Cavite.

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Link to Original Article:
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/solar-phl-to-lease-solar-panels-to-boost-us
e-in-business-households/

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John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com