RP MISSION TO TAIWAN TO STRENGTHEN LOCAL SOLAR INDUSTRY

The Congressional Commission on Science Technology and Engineering (COMSTE) is sending a delegation composed of experts from government, academe and industry to Taiwan to strengthen ties for future collaboration in solar testing facilities.

The delegation is set to leave on October 26 and is headed by COMSTE Executive Director Dr. Gregory Tangonan, which also includes professors from De La Salle and Ateneo, members of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines, Inc. (SEIPI) and representatives from leading solar and electronics companies.

Senator Edgardo J. Angara said that the delegation is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) which he says is the beginning of the proposed Renewable Energy Research and Development Institute (RERDI), which is set to expand the Renewable Energy industry of the country.

Angara, Chair of the Congressional Commission on Science Technology and Engineering (COMSTE), has pointed out that PHP100 Million has been allocated from the 2009 budget of the DOST for the creation of RERDI.

The Philippine delegation will visit with the heads of more than 15 solar companies in the hopes of being able to entice them to send their solar cells for testing at a new solar testing facility which is set to open within the month in Batangas. The facility is a partnership between COMSTE and First Philec and can test panels for optimal output in tropical conditions.

Angara said that this project and collaboration with the Taiwanese marks the beginning of the RE industry in the country.

"Developing innovative Renewable Energy Systems can aid in achieving the long term goal of energy independence. With RERDI, we can fully utilize Public Private Partnerships and our ties with neighboring countries to stimulate growth in the RE power sector," said Angara.

Dr. Shigero Niki of Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, who heads their Solar Research and Testing Laboratory expressed interest in sending PV for testing in the Philippines, noting that a testing facility here would be able to identify the proper engineering and technology for PV arrays and components which would be ideal for tropical conditions.

Other projects selected by COMSTE for the RERDI are solar cooling assessment, development and demonstration program by the Philippine Green Building Council (PHILGBC)/Institute of Industrial Electrical Engineers/ the De La Salle University and the study of algae as a biofuel. A team composed of members from Ateneo University, Alson Aquacutlure Inc., and two other photo bio-reactor companies aims to study optimal conditions that will promote the growth of algae and the cleaning of coal fired plants by placing nearby aquaculture ponds.

Power, hybrid RE systems, alternative fuels from solid residue, biodiesel production and development, gasohol related process development, and materials development for energy applications are also tagged as priorities for RERDI.