Philippine Independent Oil Player announced that they are looking to expand and diversify their business in 2010 by going into the alternative energy while promoting the use of biofuels and energy independence for the Philippines. Alternative Energy in the form of solar, wind, compressed natural gas (CNG), biomass, etc.

The funds for this ambitious project will be P500 million and will be sourced internally, by the infusion of new capital, from profits and depreciation.
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Chinese Ambassador Liu Jianchao said that China was looking to invest in the renewable energy sector of the Philippines. Primarily in geothermal, wind and solar energy. They were looking for joint venture opportunities in the emerging renewable energy industry.

Aside from that, he also said that they were working on continued investment in the country’s infrastructure, mining, farming, telecommunication and education sectors as well.
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The Department of Energy (DOE) announced that they will set up a P2-billion trust fund over the next five years to support the development of renewable energy in the country which was jumpstarted by the passage of the Philippine Renewable Energy Act.

The fund would be sourced from different government agencies. At least 1.5% would come from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), which regulates gambling in the country. Another source would be the Philippine Charity Sweeptakes Office (PCSO) which runs the government’s lottery program.
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Flying V, a local gasoline retailer, announced that they are in discussion with Terra Solar Global Inc for a possible solar panel manufacturing project. Terra Solar Global Inc is a subsidiary of China Solar Energy. More specifically it will consist of constructing a plant to build solar panels then to export them.
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Solutions Using Renewable Energy Inc. (SURE), has successfully implemented a rural electrification program using solar cells for power. The solar powered grid provides electricity to the barangays (town) of Asibanglan, Limos and Ba-ay in Pinukpuk, Kalinga. The 3 towns have been without electricity, despite the nearest transmission line being only 7 km away.

Using a subsidized financing program, SURE has been able to provide the towns with 440 units of 12-watt solar panels which along with it includes a seven-watt compact fluorescent lantern and a 12V/7AH battery. Along with that are solar-powered recharging stations for each of the three barangays. This will allow the residents to recharge items powered by rechargeable batteries like cellphones, laptops, and televisions. The cost of the entire endeavor was about P2.93 million.
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This concept to build solar cells from semi-organic materials is quite interesting. Developed at the University of Notre Dame it works because the powdered sugar in the donut contains titanium dioxide nanoparticles. When the powdered sugar is coated with an organic dye it can be used as the light-absorbing layer of a photovoltaic device.

Check out the video:
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