South City Homes Academy

Tagbilaran St., Sto. Tomas, Biñan City, Laguna

The Efficiency of Solar-Generated Electricity to the Electric Bill Savings

A Research Project
Presented to the Faculty
Of Senior High School Department

In Partial Fulfilment
of the Requirements
in Practical Research 2

by
Agustin, Mark Christopher R.
Alano, Mark Adriel G.
Ranchez, John Ejie Q.
Trinidad Jr., Marlon M.

April 2021
 Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

Research Background

Solar energy refers to energy from the sun. It is a completely renewable source of energy unlike

non-renewable sources such as fossil fuels. Solar power technologies use the sun’s energy to light

homes, produce hot water, heat homes and to produce electricity (Solaren, 2017). On average, solar

panels will save you over $1,100 (Php. 53,207) per year on your electricity bills. This is assuming a

system size of 6 kilowatts, which is common in the US. The estimate also considers the average

sunshine available in the country, and the average electricity price of 13.34 cents per kilowatt-hour

reported by the Energy Information Administration. Solar panels have become popular thanks to their

simplicity and excellent return on investment.

When you install a home solar system, the long-term savings can be up to 3 times higher than

the upfront cost. Also consider that electricity prices tend to increase each year, making solar energy

more valuable over time (Leonardo, 2020). The Philippines' average solar radiation ranges from 128-

203 watts per square meter, or an average of 161.7 watts per square meter, based on sunlight duration.

This paper examines the efficiency of solar energy to the electric savings of households in

Manila. As of today, due to the decreasing amount of renewable energy resources, the last ten years

become more important for per watt cost of solar energy device. Solar energy is used in a variety of

ways because today, more and more people understand the advantages of solar energy as the solar

technology increases and the cost of fossil fuels rises. This Solar Energy is generated by as per

applications like industrial, commercial, and residential. It can easily draw energy from direct sunlight.

So, it is very efficiency & free environment pollution for surrounding (Waghmare,2018). Valenzuela, a

homeowner of Quezon City stated that during the day their household appliances are directly powered
by electricity generated by these solar panels which translates to savings at the average of 40%

discounted rate bill. That cost is actually cheap compared to what you are consuming from Meralco,

you just don't feel it and you buy it up front. This is an unlimited source of energy which is available at

no cost. The major benefit of solar energy over other conventional power generators is that the sunlight

can be directly converted into solar energy with the use of smallest photovoltaic (PV) solar cells.

Aggressively deployment of solar-storage microgrids would also go a long way towards

improving human and environmental health and quality of life, as well as helping the Philippines

achieve its national and international renewable energy, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction and

climate change goals. Much of that has to do with longstanding government fossil-fuel industry

subsidies that transfer the fuel, currency and other socioeconomic and environmental risks and burdens

of electricity generation, transmission and distribution from utilities and large independent power

producers that have the ability to manage them to everyday Filipinos, many of whom live at marginal,

subsistence levels,

This study focuses on the perspective of renewable energy (solar) in the making of strategies for

a sustainable development of electric savings of households and replacement of fossil fuels by these

various sources of solar energy. As of today, due to the decreasing amount of renewable energy

resources, the last ten years become more important for per watt cost of solar energy device. Everyday

sun sends out tremendous amount of energy in the form of heat and radiations called solar energy. For

the more than one billion people in the developing world who lack access to a reliable electric grid, the

cost of small-scale PV generation is often outweighed by the very high value of access to electricity for

lighting and charging mobile telephone and radio batteries. In addition, in some developing nations it

may be economic to use solar generation to reduce reliance on imported oil, particularly if that oil must

be moved by truck to remote generator sites.

also they want to show the impact of solar panels to the electric bill savings of the people who are using

solar generated electricity in the selected households in Manila.

Statement of the Problem

This study is based on the researchers to determine the productivity of solar energy sources for

electric savings of households. To be specific, this study is anchored on the following research

questions:

1. What aspects of households of Metro Manila will be measured in the study?

(a) Electric consumption

(b) Location's climate

(c) Reliability of the solar panel

2. How are the productivity of solar energy affects the electric savings of households in Metro

Manila?

3. How is the electric consumption using solar panel associate with the electric savings of the

household?

4. Is there a significant relationship between the location's climate and the productivity of solar

energy sources?

5. Is there a significant relationship between the productivity of solar energy sources and the

reliability of the solar panel?

This quantitative research study is based on the study of Becquerel (1839) in photovoltaic effect,

where he discovered the process that produces a voltage or electric current when exposed to light or

radiant energy. Becquerel (1839) believed that heightened amounts of electricity can be generated when

the cell is exposed to sunlight.

Fritts (1883) also believed that shining light on an electrode submerged in a conductive

solution current and energized electron escapes its bond would create and generate an electric. Fritts

(1883) stated “when a solar cell is illuminated by sunlight, photon energy of the incident light is

converted to direct current electricity through the process of photovoltaic effect of the solar cell”.

Created the first solar cell based on the photovoltaic effect, Stoletov (1888) stated that

“electricity by the action of solar heat upon a photovoltaics and could produce a constant electric current

during the daily and annual movements of the sun”. This solar heat source is incident upon a metallic

surface can emits electrons.

Conceptual Framework

LOCATION’S
CLIMATE
CONDITIONS

ANGLE SOLAR PANELS

TRACKING
ACCURACY

Figure 1. A Conceptual Framework on the Effects of Different Factors to the Efficiency of Solar Panels
Definition of Terms

The following terms were defined conceptually and operationally.

Duration means the time during which something exists or lasts (Merriam Webster).

Electric current refers to the movement of positive or negative electric particles (such as electrons)

accompanied by such observable effects as the production of heat, of a magnetic field, or of chemical

transformations (Merriam Webster).

Electricity refers to the fundamental form of energy observable in positive and negative forms that

occurs naturally (as in lightning) or is produced (as in a generator) and that is expressed in terms of the

movement and interaction of electrons (Merriam Webster).

Electron means a stable subatomic particle with a charge of negative electricity, found in all atoms and

acting as the primary carrier of electricity in solids. (Oxford Dictionary).

Electromagnetism means magnetism developed by a current of electricity

Microgrid refers to a small network of electricity users with a local source of supply that is usually

attached to a centralized national grid but is able to function independently. (Encyclopedia Dictionary)

Photon means an amount of electromagnetic radiation (Merriam Webster).

Photovoltaic means relating to, or utilizing the generation of a voltage when radiant energy falls on the

boundary between dissimilar substances (Merriam Webster).

Radiation is the process of emitting radiant energy in the form of waves or particles.

Renewable source is the capable of being replaced by natural ecological cycles or sound management

practices (Merriam Webster).

Solar cell means to a photovoltaic cell used as a power source (Merriam Webster).
Solar energy means produced or operated by the action of the sun's light or heat (Merriam Webster).

Solar panel is the battery of solar cells (as on a rooftop) (Merriam Webster).

Voltage refers to the electric potential or potential difference expressed in volts (Merriam Webster).