Run by Solar:

By Carla Angelene Carpio

The price of electricity is getting higher in the Philippines because of its unstable source. Filipinos are badly affected by the continuous electricity price hike since it is essential in our daily lives.

On the other side, people are starting to use various ways to have access to sustainable energy. In the city of Tarlac, a team of experts dedicated their time and effort to utilize their knowledge in Science and Technology. They had created hope for the Filipinos which includes the Tarlaqueños’ in achieving a source of electricity — a solar-powered generator that is costefficient.

After its successful pilot test in 2017, the project commenced in February 2021 which was then completed in November 2022. TSU and the Department of Science and Technology’s Regional Office III handed over two solar-powered or electric utility vehicles to the DOST Central Office on December 12, 2022. The project was led by Prof. Rodel T. Botio and Vice-President for Research Extension Services, Dr. Murphy P. Mohammed as the co-project leader who developed eleven electric utility cars which was sponsored with 2.3 million pesos in DOST III and 1.3 million pesos in TSU funds. Other units will soon be handed to the DOST Tarlac and DOST Nueva Ecija.

Professor Botio reported that they were able to lower the electricity bills

TARLAQUEÑOS’ RESEARCH IS DOST FUNDED

of the families who were the chosen trial participants. The generator was designed to operate even in cloudy weather because of its solar tracking mechanism that can orient the direction of panels towards sunlight, so even when the sun is playing hide and seek, there’s nothing to worry about.

The TSU Solar Resource team also developed an integrated solar water pump where it became a great help for local farmers because it can provide water for up to five hectares with zero cost of electricity. The solar charging system that was created by their team was able to provide electricity for the solar water pumps and even for the solar generators.

According to Prof. Botio, the project is already in its fifth year, and they are currently at phase 3 called Techno Demonstration and Commercialization. Through this phase, sustainable technology will be promoted in Tarlac.

With the milestone of this research, Ma’am Shinette Grace Botio, one of the Science teachers of Tibag High School and the wife of Prof. Rodel T. Botio, is delighted with the outcome of this sustainable technology. When asked how can Ma’am

Shinette integrate this kind of research into her Science Class in Tibag High School she shared “The research of Sir Botio, my husband, is very timely in terms of our lesson on electricity. I get to share photos and videos of our lighting using the solar power system my husband installed at home. This is to let students appreciate the renewable energy we can get through the sun.”

Knowledge in Science and Technology allows us to have a better life; time already proved it. The research and development of new technologies in the melting pot of the Philippines holds competence and so many opportunities. By supporting organizations who give light to new technologies, knowledge and unity will blossom; thus, access to a better way of living. Researchers are naturally driven by their curiosity but it takes a million courage to be someone with a helpful