The Philippines' reliance on local gas for electricity, may face difficulty as Malampaya Gas Field supply is seen to deplete by 2024. Last year, our country had a higher electricity rate ranging from 25% to 87% for residential, commercial, and industrial areas compared to neighboring Southeast Asian countries. Prices of basic commodities continue to ramp up not just here in the Philippines but also in different parts of the world. With these ongoing events, how will alternative energy sources help us? Here are some of the reasons to use solar energy in the Philippines.

1. Solar energy lets you save money on electricity bills

Installing a 3.8-kilowatt (kW) solar panel for your house or establishment can cost you around ₱350,000 to ₱400,000 but your monthly electric bill can be cut to half. By harnessing solar energy, you can significantly reduce your reliance on traditional electric connections and enjoy substantial savings on your monthly bills. Some solar energy users can save more than half of their usual expenses when they install batteries to their panels so that they’ll not rely on their traditional electric provider.

2. Solar energy is sustainable and reliable

Solar energy is a sustainable and reliable choice that helps combat carbon emissions due to the dependence of electricity supply on fossil fuel. By going solar, you're actively contributing to greener and cleaner future generations. It is a clean and renewable source that doesn't contribute to air pollution or greenhouse gas emissions. Every small change can create a big difference in our environment.

3. Dry season in the Philippines is suitable for solar energy

The Philippines experiences a dry season from December to May. Sunlight is abundant during these months which is mainly used for solar energy. The 5-month dry season our country experiences is a big factor for switching to solar energy. Additionally, most of the days in the Philippines every year are sunny which is perfect for this set-up.

4. The Philippines as an archipelago is fit for solar energy

Our country as an archipelago has thousands of islands and some of the areas are hard to reach for electricity supply. With solar energy, it makes the power experience inclusive since 1.1 million households, or 5.5 million Filipinos still do not have access to electricity. Remote and off-grid communities can generate their own electricity, improving their quality of life and enabling economic development through the availability of solar energy. It gives them opportunities like what other areas in the Philippines experience.

5. Solar energy is resilient and beneficial for long-term use

Solar panels do not require much maintenance and just need a once-a-year check-up to ensure that they are still properly working. If at maximum condition, it can last up to 20 years.

Typhoons and earthquakes are also not new to Filipinos since we are surrounded by water and located in the Pacific Ring of Fire. Solar panels (with batteries) can continue to generate electricity even if certain areas are affected by outages or damages due to different disasters, unlike traditional sources.