DOE: Renewable energy is a long-term investment

CEBU, Philippines - Renewable energy has even become more important especially in the household level to achieve power efficiency.

Installing solar panels in private houses should be thought as a long-term investment in saving electricity, said Engineer J. Rey Maleza of the Department of Energy Visayas Field Office.

"Most of us always think of the cost without thinking of the long-term development," said Maleza, Energy Industry Management Division supervisor.

Several private consumers still show hesitance in accepting renewable sources of energy like solar generators, he pointed out.

"This is a long-term investment. Aside from saving, you also generate intangible benefits like environment conservation," he continued.

Electric consumers who use RE technologies to generate power in their houses do not only avoid high electricity rates but also ensure energy security.

According to the Philippine Renewable Energy Act of 2008, the electricity generation should not exceed 100 kilowatts.

He said the Energy Regulatory commission has set rules for the implementation of Net Metering which promotes house-based power generation and distribution from the conventional generation-transmission-distribution system.

Solar roof tops only entail cost for generation and no longer for distribution and transmission.

"If naay extra ang ma-generate nga power unya di na nimo magamit, you can actually sell it. Therefore, naka-minimize ka sa imong demand," he stated.

Consumers can sell the excess generated power from the RE technology to the distribution utility, which could mean a deduction in their monthly bills. (FREEMAN)