‘Super’ El Niño may boost rooftop solar adoption

Renewable energy experts said on Thursday that a ‘Super’ El Niño could increase the adoption of rooftop solar technology in the Philippines as more Filipinos prepare for higher energy demand during the climate phenomenon.

“It [Super El Niño] will increase the demand, definitely, but it’s up to us whether we will use solar energy to serve that demand,” Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) Senior Advisor on Energy Literacy and Energy Democracy Monalisa Dimalanta told BusinessWorld in an interview.

“That’s why the government also has been calling for consumers who can afford to install solar to help ease that demand increase,” she added. “I think it will also further increase the adoption of solar rooftop technology among ordinary consumers.”

The weather bureau earlier said that the likelihood of a strong El Niño from August to October stands at 69%, and that it has a 62% chance of intensifying further in the latter part of the year.

An El Niño happens when sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific reach 1.5°C above normal. Meanwhile, a Super El Niño occurs when sea surface temperatures rise by 2°C or more above average.

As more Filipinos brace for the impacts of the phenomenon, Philippine Solar and Storage Energy Alliance (PSSEA) President Jose Rafel Mendoza warned that too much heat could also affect the performance of solar panels.

“Heat degrades solar panel performance, so people should account for that when modeling their solar power settings and their installation,” he told BusinessWorld on the sidelines of an event.

“If improperly installed, the equipment is prone to less efficient performance,” he added.

Mr. Mendoza noted that there should be a clearance between the roof and panel, allowing air to enter and cool down the equipment. “The solar panels degrade in terms of performance if it’s too hot; the light activates it, not the heat.”

According to a Pulse Asia survey, 85% of Filipinos see rooftop solar as a necessity rather than a luxury. However, 93% of the respondents still urge the government to provide a more affordable solar panel setup.

ICSC Energy Transition Advisor Alberto Dalusung III said that removing the Value-Added Tax (VAT) on specific solar components, such as panels and inverters, could lower the cost of installation.

“It’s very significant because it’s upfront, and VAT is 12%. Upfront 12% discount,” he told reporters during a media briefing. “If you reduce the burden by taking out the VAT on those major components, then I think it will lead to more installation.”

A Reuters report said that the Philippines is the world’s biggest spender on solar panels since the conflict in Iran began.

Distributed rooftop solar capacity in the country is expected to nearly triple to 3,500 megawatts within two years, according to analysts at energy think tank Ember. — Almira Louise S. Martinez