Negros households to get solar energy

At least 451 households in Negros Oriental stand to benefit from the Department of Energy's (DOE's) Solar Homes program. The households are located in 16 sitios in the towns of Pamplona, Siaton, and Santa Catalina and city of Tanjay, news site Visayan Daily Star reported Saturday. Each of the identified Solar Homes will receive one solar panel, four LED lights and built-in AM-FM radio, the report said. However, each solar panel has a peak load capacity of just 30 watts —only enough for lighting, but not for appliances. LED lamps are to be used as these provide brighter light but uses very minimal power, recommended for Solar Homes to conserve energy. The DOE is expected to distribute the solar panels by the third quarter of 2011 after all requirements are completed, the report said. Each solar panel will cost P23,000 and will be given free to the identified Solar Homes beneficiaries, who live in far-flung villages that have no access to electricity. DOE representatives will meet with Governor Roel Degamo to discuss the Solar Homes program, and the distribution of the items to the beneficiaries. Each solar panel will be installed on the roof to have direct exposure to the sun. A DOE technical team will install the units. The DOE will also organize the beneficiaries so they will be guided on the maintenance of the solar panel. The deep cycle battery is good only for two to three years, depending on usage. During the rainy season, the battery can last for one week if the household minimizes the use of power. — TJD, GMA News