[Guzzinuts]

Hi everyone. Looking for info on solar energy in the Philippines. Specifically, building your own solar panels from basic solar cells as opposed to pre-assembled/manufactured items? I'm fairly new to this technology but I'm a reasonably practical guy - so no worries about actually building these. I see cells for sale on EBay here in the UK & on certain US sites - but to save importing hassles, to source these items locally within the Phils would be preferable - so long as price is reasonable? Also, of course, the other equipment needed such as voltage regulators, inverters & batteries etc, etc. Any ideas friends?

[Frank Woolf]

I have been thinking almost the same thing. I have been preparing for solar power in a small way by using some 12 volt LED lights at my beach house. Initially they will run from a transformer so they can easily be switched to solar power later.

I didn't really want to spend on solar power yet but it looks like we are going to be getting regular blackouts for hours at a time (possibly days) until around June or July so I am thinking to get started with solar power as soon as possible, at least for lights and fans.

The problem I see with buying in the Philippines is that a very high proportion of the products for sale are rejects or very low quality. I do have the advantage of regular trips to Hong Kong where high quality and sensible prices are the norm. I can also order on line for delivery to Hong Kong where there are no taxes or duties on these things then hand carry them from Hong Kong or send them here in balikbayan boxes.

I think there is a supplier in the Philippines but when I saw the web site I was very unimpressed.

[Frank Woolf]

It just occurred to me that there is an intermediate step that would be effective for the blackouts. I could install the batteries that would be charged by a conventional battery charger while the power is on so the 12 volt lights and fans can be used during blackouts.

Then later I just change the battery charger for the solar power set up.

[Guzzinuts]

Hi Frank – yes, LEDs are always a good bet anyway, not only for less power consumption but for reliability too? For my part, I would be concerned about going too far down the 12v route as I intend to power not only lights & fans but as many of the usual “power-hungry” domestic appliances as possible so that will mean a 220v system & all that goes with it?
However – if it’s not to be your main home & just for beach “holidays”, then I guess 12v’s is fine!

As to the “quality” of products bought locally? Yes, I agree that there is a good chance of getting lumbered with sub-standard or even pain faulty products – if your not too careful? HOWEVER, I have ideas about that & specifically, I intend to investigate fully the “rumours” that such things as solar cells are actually manufactured in the Phil’s by a German owned company, not too far from the family home in Laguna AND the chances of actually being able to get my sticky hands on a fair stack of said items!? Who knows?
Anyway, baring that & circumstance, there’s still, as you say, the “Balikbayan” route & as I’m not in too much of a rush to head down a blind ally, I will take it steady & hopefully get the right products for the right job?
Other avenues I will be pursuing vigorously is also wind power, ie, turbines, home-made from scrap materials & old car alternators!
Meanwhile – your idea of charging batteries from the mains to kick things-off, sounds like a cool idea!

[Frank Woolf]

I agree, there are some things that you really need 220 volts AC for and like you I am taking it one step at a time while hopefully the prices of LED lights and solar panels will drop a bit.

When we build the house I intend to have a 220 volt AC circuit and a 12 volt DC circuit but probably only lights, fans and the security system will be 12 volts.

I am still tempted to try a wind generator. If they will work in 8 or 10 knot winds then they maybe worth doing.

[Doc]

Other avenues I will be pursuing vigorously is also wind power, ie, turbines, home-made from scrap materials & old car alternators!
Meanwhile – your idea of charging batteries from the mains to kick things-off, sounds like a cool idea!

Hello all
This is my first post here. I followed the at link at Sport Fishing Asia

Just wanted to say I have spent some time looking into both solar and wind power and the best power supply I could find for wind power was the motor from a treadmill if you have access to one.
Have a great day
Doc

[Frank Woolf]

Thanks. It may not be hard to find one around here.

I wish I knew that about a year ago when I gave away a treadmill because the belt was broken and I had no space for it.

[Doc]

Hi Frank
You know you don't need it until you throw it away

[Frank Woolf]

You got that right. On the other hand I get fed up with throwing things away multiple times.

Every time I throw something out or tell the helpers to throw it out it gets put away somewhere so I never have enough space for things I do want to keep.

It gets especially annoying when I throw out dud florescent tubes and starters. They get put back with the good ones so when a tube or starter is faulty I can spend ages swapping a tube with what I think are new ones only to find they don't work so it must be something else so I change the starter and it still doesn't work so I change the ballast and it still doesn't work then I find that I am swapping dud tubes and starters with more dud tubes and starters

[Doc]

Has anyone made any progress with finding or making solar panels? I would very much like to be at least somewhat self sufficient for my power needs. I had even considered getting the parts and getting someone local to solder them together for a few bucks. In my earlier research I found suppliers for broken ( chipped ) solar cells. They are much cheaper and work just about as well as the factory perfect ones. Here is an article from a guy who did what I was considering: http://www.mdpub.com/SolarPanel/index.html