Philippines should invest more in solar power

Lawmakers urge government to attain energy independence.

They want the government to throw its support behind House Bill 5405 or the One Million Solar Roofs Act of 2011 that will encourage the growth of the solar power industry growth and lead to more jobs and lower electricity bills.

Under the measure, the Department of Energy, the National Renewable Energy Board and the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council shall encourage the installation of small solar energy systems in homes and business establishments nationwide, targeting a million rooftops in the next 10 years.

Congress enacted Republic Act 9513 or the Renewable Energy Act in 2008 to encourage investments in renewable energy. Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan, another author of the measure, said the Philippines will greatly benefit from using renewable sources of energy because of its clean and sustainable character.

Ilagan said solar technology could be an immediate and sustainable way to deal with the country's energy problems, especially with the abundance of solar energy throughout the country and the modular nature of solar energy systems.