where to find solar professionals in the Philippines

[matmat]

hi guys,

matmat here, newbie from the philippines. how's everyone?

i'm looking for engineers specializing in photovoltaics here in the philippines, and i'm having a bit of a hard time. i've used a popular local job posting site, and an online forum for solar in the philippines, but to no avail.

anyone else here from the philippines? any suggestions?

thanks in advance guys!


regards,

matmat

[s.xavier]

Sorry Mat,

I have no clue where you should begin with the solar search in the Philippines. Solar Installers in your area may be slim, but I think they should be around. Take a look at the gov sites in the Philippines or give them a call. I'm sure they should be able to guide you toward a local solar installer or someone the solar technology development.

Also if i'm not mistaken, First Solar manufactures solar panels in the philippines if I'm not mistaken..

hi guys,

matmat here, newbie from the philippines. how's everyone?

i'm looking for engineers specializing in photovoltaics here in the philippines, and i'm having a bit of a hard time. i've used a popular local job posting site, and an online forum for solar in the philippines, but to no avail.

anyone else here from the philippines? any suggestions?

thanks in advance guys!

matmat

[matmat]

Sorry Mat,

I have no clue where you should begin with the solar search in the Philippines. Solar Installers in your area may be slim, but I think they should be around. Take a look at the gov sites in the Philippines or give them a call. I'm sure they should be able to guide you toward a local solar installer or someone the solar technology development.

Also if i'm not mistaken, First Solar manufactures solar panels in the philippines if I'm not mistaken..

hi s.xavier,

thanks for the response. i'll try making some calls tomorrow.

by the way, haven't heard of any First Solar facility in the Philippines. Perhaps you meant Sunpower? Just clarifying.

thanks man!

[s.xavier]

Yah that is correct... was either first solar or sunpower, close enough

one note though, if you're building in the pines make sure you take into consideration typhoons and such... also if you ever score the contract to put on pacio's house, get me an autograph or even better a signed boxing glove

hi s.xavier,

thanks for the response. i'll try making some calls tomorrow.

by the way, haven't heard of any First Solar facility in the Philippines. Perhaps you meant Sunpower? Just clarifying.

thanks man!

[russ]

There are several members who live in the Phils - they will be around before long I expect.

[axis11]

Hi matmat
Im from the Philippines but is currently out of the country. There are a lot of licensed electrical engineers in Phils but those specialized in PV could be rare. During my school days, PV was not given much emphasis since there werent a lot of PV demand at that time. If you are looking for installers, there are people on the local forum doing it full time. If you need a design engineer, you could try the bigger local suppliers and pirate one of their engineers.

[matmat]

s.xavier

yeah, close enough

yes, the stronger winds would be a concern.. thanks for the reminder wait, did you mean pacquiao? ok, pacio is close enough too.. haha ayt, will do..

russ

ayt, thanks for the heads up!

axis

if you're the same axis11 as the one in the philippine pv forum, then i know you.. i'm a big fan of yours where are you based now, if you don't mind me asking? i have been looking around but could not find one with the qualifications i'm looking for.

well, i wouldn't be surprised with the low demand on pv then cuz like all technological devices, it started out with little efficiency and high cost.. but now, as i know you know, the game has changed..

who among the local forum members do you recommend as installer? i need a design engineer too.. which bigger supplier are you referring to? pm me please.. thanks idol

[john p]

MAT MAT where in Phils are you? Unless you live in a major city you are going to find ALL electricians know less than you do about solar installs.. As for finding an engineer ,give some electricians a call they should be able to type up a piece of paper before you meet them saying thay are qualified electrical/mechanical/civil/refrigertation/computer engineers.

I dont know if you have priced any solar equipment in Phils but its on average double the price of any other country. to use it is in just about ALL cases totally un economic, And any guarantees you get will be as faithful as the average bar girl.
Everything I have used in Phils I bring from Australia so if something fails I can bring it back and get reall warranty service.

[matmat]

MAT MAT where in Phils are you? Unless you live in a major city you are going to find ALL electricians know less than you do about solar installs.. As for finding an engineer ,give some electricians a call they should be able to type up a piece of paper before you meet them saying thay are qualified electrical/mechanical/civil/refrigertation/computer engineers.

I dont know if you have priced any solar equipment in Phils but its on average double the price of any other country. to use it is in just about ALL cases totally un economic, And any guarantees you get will be as faithful as the average bar girl.
Everything I have used in Phils I bring from Australia so if something fails I can bring it back and get reall warranty service.

hi john p,

i live in manila. sorry, but i didn't quite get what you were trying to say about the engineer.. :P

i have checked the local prices vis a vis the international prices (http://www.solarbuzz.com/facts-and-f...e-environment)) and it seems that we're not very far from the international pricing. though for an off grid installation, the system cost is much higher, but just like any off grid installation anywhere else in the world.

it is uneconomic but impending policy changes that will execute incentives for renewables will eventually make this economic, especially for on grid installations. keeping my fingers crossed. besides, in some instances, the "uneconomic" pv choice is the ONLY choice.

speaking of australia, we locally have a popular australian brand of pv panels and inverters. if you're building a pv system here, why not buy from here. i can help you if you want. saves you the trouble of shipping and risk of transit damage. and when warranty is needed, you can probably claim it here or in australia, wherever you feel more comfortable. pm me if interested.

thanks for the comments!


regards,

matmat

[john p]

MATMAT I actually thought what i said about finding an engineer was clear. what i was trying to say. many"engineers" there are self made ones with no real qualifications at all. Also many engineereing schools there are run by so so instructors/tutors.
All prices I have seen there are way above everywhere else.
As for ever getting incentives it aint gunna happen..
It would to some extent if the officials that would be running it can find a way to keep 80% of it for themselves,
The power companies like meralco are just overpriced and they are not about to lose one centavo,buy paying out incentives , like grid tie purchasing extra power etc. but regardless it will still cost at least 5 times the price for solar power as grid electricity.
I have a small of grid for computer and lights but no way is it cost effective, but its the lighting security that makes it worth while.

[matmat]

MATMAT I actually thought what i said about finding an engineer was clear. what i was trying to say. many"engineers" there are self made ones with no real qualifications at all. Also many engineereing schools there are run by so so instructors/tutors.
All prices I have seen there are way above everywhere else.
As for ever getting incentives it aint gunna happen..
It would to some extent if the officials that would be running it can find a way to keep 80% of it for themselves,
The power companies like meralco are just overpriced and they are not about to lose one centavo,buy paying out incentives , like grid tie purchasing extra power etc. but regardless it will still cost at least 5 times the price for solar power as grid electricity.
I have a small of grid for computer and lights but no way is it cost effective, but its the lighting security that makes it worth while.

hi john p,

thanks for the clarifications

well, i'm still hoping for the best but at the same time, expecting the worst..

thanks for your inputs!


regards,

matmat

[matmat]

In my opinion,there are no frofessional solar manufacturer in philippines,but you can find one in china.i give you a advice on http://www.free-energy.com.cn

hi niuhaibiao,

actually, most of sunpower's manufacturing facilities are in the philippines. and i need electricians / engineers / professionals for pv, not manufacturer.

thanks for the offer though


regards,

matmat

[russ]

hi niuhaibiao,

actually, most of sunpower's manufacturing facilities are in the philippines. and i need electricians / engineers / professionals for pv, not manufacturer.

thanks for the offer though


regards,

matmat

Mod note - niuhaibiao was spamming the site but is now history

[axis11]

MAT MAT, Denhille is doing PV installs nationwide. I just dont know which company or supplier he is working with. Solarpinoy is also in the PV business. Lately he went to china for a PV seminar. I think he is an electrical engineer by profession(not very sure though). Try giving him a buzz. You have a better chance of finding what you need from this guy. Im currently in Saudi arabia. Nope im not an electrical engineer. Actually im on the mechanical side of things. Im just a solar noobie. I ask my solar questions in this forum.

[john p]

MATMAT how big a system are you wanting to install? To power what?? Is it going to be grid tie? or stand alone with nighttime battery backup. ??
If its just your house you dont need an engineer .You dont need to get approvals to do the install. its the Philippines not the USA.
I hereby grant you the title of Manila Solar Electrical Engineer and Chief Solar Inspector.
Now with the help of an electrician you can do the install yourself