PH Places First in Solar Power in Asia
Who would have thought that the Philippines gained another recognition after ranking first among other developing countries in using a new system for the generation of electricity nationwide through solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, more commonly known as solar panels?
In an article published by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Solarplaza ranked the Philippines first in terms of PV projects, with seven projects cracking the list made by the Dutch PV consultancy firm.
“The country is still relatively young when it comes to solar development, but was able to get 7 active projects ranked in the top 50 list,” said Solarplaza research analyst Marco Dorothal in his report. His report pegged the country’s June 2017 had installed a solar power capacity of 900 megawatts.
Dorothal goes on to say that while most PV projects in the country won’t make the list, which bottoms out at 20 MW, local companies have already expressed plans to build larger solar parks for the future.
Solar Philippines, in particular, has started building the largest solar power plant the country has seen last, a 150-MW solar plant in Tarlac that broke ground last March 2017. They also opened the very first module factory in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, inaugurated by no less than President Rodrigo Duterte last August 2017.
Clearly, solar power is seen as the cheapest source of electricity. The booming solar market has been getting a good amount of support from the government despite several policy changes made during Duterte’s term as president.
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer, Solarplaza, Solar Philippines
Image Source: NREL; Video courtesy of Solar Philippines
