Hi there!

Can someone tell me what are the current status of solar energy, research and development and initiatives here in the philippines? Or any links about solar energy? Your help will be much appreciated. Thanks.

I have no idea. But you should be able to research this fairly easily. Start with Google. If that doesn’t suffice, try the library (I assume there are some in the Philippines). Check whatever governmental office would over-see this area in your country.

I’m keen on building a home solar panel as that’s the way for present and future energy needs.

A solar panel with 12V electric output costs between $100-250 in the market. You can easily build your own homemade solar panel for $100 with parts you can get from the local hardware store. (The same applies to homemade wind power as well)

I have noticed this happening over the last 3 years and find it bizarre how so many conservatives are now coming around after being so against clean energy. Why is this?
I imagine they will because they seem more concerned with blending in than taking a stand for what they believe in.

Those on the right fail to see the vast potential for green energy. Switching over to green energy sources will most certainly boost our economy and create countless jobs. Of course there will be jobs lost in the fossil fuel industry, but it will be gradual and not immediate. For every job lost, there will be new jobs created in the research and development of new products, in the manufacturing of those new products, and in the installation and maintenance of those new products.
Let’s pretend for a second that global warming/climate change doesn’t exist. What’s the WORST thing that could happen? The Earth gets CLEANER? That’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make even IF thousands of scientists are somehow wrong.
Nuclear energy is not a viable option for a number of reasons. Nuclear power plants may not produce AIR pollution, but they do contaminate ground water and soil. Then of course there’s the nuclear waste produced by nuclear power plants that NOONE in their right mind would want stored anywhere near their home.
Fossil Fuels are appropriately named because they’re beyond outdated. They are the fuel of the past. It’s time we look to the FUTURE and tap into the vast potential of clean, renewable and abundant energy resources such as solar, wind and hydro power!

We don't use much electricity, so we don't need anything too heavy-duty. I would like to run our cabin on solar electricity, but am having trouble getting help as far as what size battery, inverter, solar panel I will need. I know I also need a regulator, but don't know anything about them either. From start to finish, what do I need and where can I get all he parts I need at a reasonable price? Is it cost-effective to buy an already put together solar generator?

Try http://www.solarelectricsupply.com/

The stuff they sell seems to more or less live up to the specifications.

If you decide to buy discounted panels be a little careful. It was my experience that the specifications overstated the performance by 50% to 100%

BTW - the best investment you can make is a good recent book on the subject. Anything copyright before 2007 is probably obsolete.

Good luck

I am writing a literature review essay..and i have to discuss about the political impact of solar energy..can anyone give me some advices or examples for what i can do about this topic.

One of the issues the US presidential candidates are tackling is oil dependence, terrorist and concerns about global warming. Solar energy will keep the US from depending on foreign oil, which we hope would lessen the the resources of the terrorist. On top of that, solar energy is clean energy. given our environmental problem– the global warming. therefore i many areas and solar wind affects the US presidential candidates campaign.

I hate to sound like a commercial but I found a company that provides you with the components and you pay for the service… similar to the current electric companies but with a cheaper rate. Check it out

http://www.powur.com/web/

or possibly start my own green energy company?

I agree with the first poster about GE. I it is safe to say they are slowly becoming a diversified play in this industry. They are down due to the activities of GE capital, but that will change.

I strongly disagree with the second poster’s view of the economics of green energy. This is changing quickly. It may be the case today. However, some of the ROI on such things as solar thermal (not voltaic) are starting to beat out gas plants. Sure, solar and wind are surviving on tax subsidies that are causing false demand. However, that will change as hydrocarbons continue to have supply issues.

I recommend First Solar (FSLR). They are a profitable company, thought the valuation is high. But they are solid. I also like Sunpower (SPWR). These are less risky. There are tons of ultra small caps, but that gets risky. I advise staying away from ethanol as an investment. The unfortunate thing is that most of the good wind companies beyond GE are in Europe and trade on other exchanges.

I cover FSLR on my blog:

The solar panel wouldn't need to be very large, and for the most part could be on the back or top of the street light. At night, they could be powered the same way they are now or by batteries that the solar panels could be charging throughout the day. Please explain to me if you think this is good or bad.

China already does this on all new install in many parts of the country. It is a small panel with LED lights, they work fine.