The recent issuance by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) of the feed-in-tariff (FIT) rates for renewable energy sources including solar power is a “positive step towards the Philippines attaining an ideal balance of energy mix and environmental sustainability,” said Alexander Lenz, Conergy president of Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
“The P9.68 tariff rate given to solar power is lower than what we had hoped for, but at least the road has now been cleared to enable us to push through with our project plans which have been put on hold for quite some time pending the issuance of the FIT rates,” Lenz further stated.
“We believe that solar power is most ideal for the Philippines, since it is unlimited and available all year round even during cloudy or rainy days.  The country still has plenty of open spaces where high-capacity solar parks can be built. Solar power plants are easier and more cost-efficient to maintain,” he said.
Lenz said Solar energy is also ecologically-friendly as it reduces waste and pollution and the discharge of greenhouse gas significantly.
He said it is good for the economy as it will provide an increase in GDP in the environment sector and generate more jobs in this and related sectors.
Another advantage of solar energy, Lenz said, is the fact that, in view of the urgency to address the power shortage that the country is faced with, solar power facilities take a much shorter time to install and  become operational than other energy sources.
Conergy is a pioneer in the solar industry and one of the world’s largest suppliers of solar PV energy systems.
It is a recognized leader in solar system integration, offering complete components for a solar installation and providing integrated and widespread services for the development of solar power plants.
 “We believe we at Conergy have not only the capability and resources but also the track record to help the Philippines tap and develop its solar power supply to the fullest. We have over 14 years of international experience gained in planning, implementing and operating solar systems around the world with long-term reliability and assurance of the best possible yields,” Lenz said.
He cited as an example what Conergy did for Thailand, a neighboring country which is comparable in size and has a tropical climate similar to the Philippines.
The company built four solar parks in Thailand with a combined installed capacity of 27 MW.
These plants produce over 40,000 megawatt hours of electricity a year, the equivalent of supplying more than 14,400.
Thai households with clean energy while sparing the country of at least 22,300 tons of carbon emissions annually had these been produced from fossilized fuels.
“Clearly, our experience in Thailand demonstrates the major role solar power can play in providing clean, safe and reliable electricity on a larger scale. I see no reason why, given the opportunity and support from the government, we cannot do the same for the Philippines,” Lenz said.