There was a feature in LA Times on geothermal energy. The US gov’t is intensifying their search for alternative fuel and geothermal energy is one of the source that is cheap and available.
In that news article, the Philippines was identified as the #2 country in the world in terms of utilizing this resource. I remember Tiwi Albay plant in the early 80’s being a fully operational then when green energy was not in vogue yet. Do you know any other new geothermal plants developed since then?
Very informative article Dave.

Gerry

I can’t answer your questions because I didn’t take note on all the details. But the jist of it was that solar technology is expensive as the average cost for a home installation is between $20,000 and $30,000 dollars in the US. And this will take a long time to pay for itself. Solar PV panels are expessive and labor cost are expensive here in US.

Now in the Philippines, the labor cost is much lower, but the problem is getting hold of solar panels at reasonable cost. When I was in Davao, I tried to find a the only listed solar technology company but they had either moved or gone out of business. The Philippines manufactures solar panels, but I don’t think they sell much there.

Sooooo glad we both cleared the air. I do enjoy joining this site and reading
good, sensible, even funny comments from readers and posters. Thank you
for your good articles. Much appreciated. Regards. Hill

If you think excess taxation is anti-entrepreneurship then you need to come to the Philippines. Tax-wise it’s the wild wild west here. There are whole huge segments of small business that are just designated as the ‘underground’ economy … untaxed. unrecorded, unfettered by any government interference (or assistance).

I do submit. though, that is a tax be leagal,a nd if employees are apid by the government to collect that tax, they they are boundboth by law and honor to do so. That was the trust of the article you take exception to.

Whether ot not tax should be levied is indeed a totally different question. But if taxes are legally in place and employees are paid to do the job then I submit to fail is malfeasance. Ignoring laws is not an acceptable solution to changing them democratically.

One thing I didn’t write enough about, though, is the simple fact that environmentally we ought to be doing something, regardless of profitability … but that’s too idealistic for many, so I’ll ratchet back on that course for another day. Anyone who tavels to the Philippines primarly by the wind is already in my corner, in deed if not by politics

Was the contention that solar energy is not economically viable based on $200 a barrel crus eoil or $47 a barrel crude?

What was the cost per kilowatt hour used to reach the economic conclusion?

What was the expertise level of the presenters regarding the Philippines?

The reason I ask these questions is not to be contentious but to perhaps illusttrate stah such blanket ‘it won’t work’ contentions have been crippling the advancement of alternative power for years. It’s scientifically facile. I can ‘prove’ solar is economically viable or ‘prove’ it won’t be viable for 100 years if I don’t have to specify the yardstick I measure with.

Also i assume this study was based on US cnsitons? On average the Philippines has 3 or 4 times the effective solar budget and electric costs here ar four to five times the cost in the US … as you see, this might move the goalposts a bit.

I’m particularly heartened by your estimation of the Philippine media … sometimes I get the idea it’s just me . Seriously, this is my eighth country to actually live in and there is no country I cna think of on earth where the local press seems to ‘tlak down’ it’s own country and people.

What we really need is some good old fashioned cheerleading I think. You know there are several shows that air on The Filipino Channel which goes out to the rest of the world about starting and running a business here in the Philippines, success story after success story, yet you seldom see anyhting like that on the domestic channels.

It’s really a bit strange to me .. but then again, I am a stranger in a strange land

One ote … I do have an address in the US for business purposes but the chance of me returning to the US is slim to none. The Philippines is my home for the foreseeable future and if I ever decide to leave there are a number of countries I would like to expereince before I’d return to the US.