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How do solar panels work?

How do solar panels work

Solar energy has steadily gained traction in the Philippines, driven by its tropical climate and the nation’s push towards renewable resources. At the forefront of this green revolution are solar panels. But how do they harness the power of the sun and transform it into usable electricity? This article aims to educate both homeowners and entrepreneurs in the Philippines about this sustainable technology.

 

The Basics: Introducing Solar Panels

Solar panels, also known as photovoltaic (PV) panels, are devices crafted to absorb sunlight and transform it into electricity. Comprising numerous cells filled with sun-capturing materials, most often silicon, these cells are the vital components for electricity generation.

 

From Sunlight to Power: The Photovoltaic Journey

The science behind solar panels is rooted in the photovoltaic (PV) effect. Here’s a simplified breakdown:

  • Sunlight Interaction: Each sunbeam, or ‘photon’, possesses energy. When this photon reaches a solar cell, it has the potential to release an electron from its atomic position within the cell’s materials.
  • Generating an Electric Flow: These now free electrons move within the cell, forming an electric flow or direct current (DC).
  • Transforming for Everyday Use: Filipino homes and businesses typically operate on alternating current (AC) power. Thus, the DC produced by the solar cells is converted to AC using a device called an inverter.

 

Home Panels vs. Business Panels in the Philippines

While the fundamental mechanism remains the same, there are some differences between residential and commercial solar panels:

  • Size and Output: Residential solar panels are often compact, tailored for Philippine homes, many of which have limited rooftop space. On the other hand, commercial panels, catering to businesses, are larger with a higher energy output.
  • Installation Methods: Businesses might set up vast solar arrays on rooftops, open lands, or even as shading in parking lots. In contrast, homeowners mainly opt for rooftop installations, though ground setups are an option for those with extra land space.
  • Expense and Payment Options: Commercial setups, given their scale, often have a steeper initial cost. But, with the advantage of scale, the cost per unit of energy can be lower than smaller residential setups. Payment plans, government incentives, and rebates can vary between the two categories.

 

The Solar Advantage

Adopting solar energy in the Philippines brings a multitude of benefits:

  • Environmentally Friendly: By reducing dependence on non-renewable fuels, solar panels decrease harmful emissions, benefiting our beautiful Philippine islands.
  • Potential Savings: Despite the initial cost, in the long run, solar panels can drastically cut down electricity bills. Over time, the investment can be fully recovered through savings.
  • Energy Independence: Produce your electricity, lessening reliance on the national grid—a boon during brownouts or peak consumption periods.
  • Flexibility: Whether you own a small residence or a growing business, solar setups can be expanded based on your needs.

 

Solar panels, a synergy of advanced technology and nature’s abundant sunlight, are a beacon of sustainable progress in the Philippines. As Filipinos, understanding how these panels function and the benefits they offer is essential. Whether your goal is to manage household expenses, reduce your business’s operational costs, or make an eco-friendly choice, solar energy is a bright option for the future.

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installation teams

Solaren’s in-house installation teams deliver commercial and industrial solar projects with the consistency and precision that large sites demand. With several trained crews operating across the Philippines, we handle multiple installations simultaneously while maintaining high, uniform workmanship standards. Each team works closely with Solaren’s engineers to plan structural layouts, optimize wiring routes, position inverters for optimal performance, and integrate the system safely into the client’s existing electrical network. This level of coordination ensures clean execution on the roof and inside the facility, with every detail checked against strict safety and performance requirements. Our teams are experienced with complex environments, from homes to factories and warehouses, showrooms and food-production sites, and they follow a disciplined workflow that protects system performance for years. Because all installation work is performed by Solaren personnel, not subcontractors, clients receive complete accountability, better quality control, and systems built to deliver reliable energy from the day of commissioning.

JERRICO MIGUEL

Junior Electrical Engineer

Jerrico assists with electrical installation, testing, and commissioning across commercial PV systems. With 3 years of engineering experience, he supports senior engineers with wiring, system validation, and integration of monitoring systems. He has contributed to deployments for food manufacturing, warehousing, and commercial facilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with wiring, conduit work, and panel installation
• Support testing, commissioning, and on-site validation
• Perform basic electrical troubleshooting and checks
• Document as-built work and site conditions
• Coordinate with senior engineers for daily tasks

ARNOLD NICOLE YOUNG

IT Specialist

Arnold manages and oversees Solaren’s IT infrastructure, Networking and monitoring platforms. With over seven years of IT and network experience, he maintains monitoring for hundreds of live systems nationwide, ensuring uptime, data security, and reliable performance visibility. He is CCNA-certified.  Arnold is responsible for coordinating the operations and maintenance of existing systems,

Key Responsibilities

• Manage O and M, monitoring portals and system dashboards
• Maintain IT networks and data security protocols
• Support engineers with diagnostics and remote checks
• Ensure uptime of client monitoring portals
• Implement updates and coordinate hardware integration

JOHN RUDOLF SIGUA

PV Design Engineer

John specializes in system modelling, layout design, and performance simulation for commercial and industrial projects. A Registered Electrical Engineer with five years of design experience, he works with PVsyst, AutoCAD, and utility-compliant PEC standards. He supports commissioning and troubleshooting to ensure accurate performance and reliable operation.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare PV system layouts, modelling, and energy simulations
• Size components for optimal performance and compliance
• Produce design packages for permitting and construction
• Support commissioning, technical checks, and system validation
• Provide troubleshooting for design-related issues

EJ P. ERESE

Onsite Project Manager

EJ oversees daily on-site installation for commercial and industrial PV systems, coordinating manpower, safety, and client updates. A Registered Electrical Engineer, Registered Master Electrician, and Safety Officer 2, he brings six years of field experience and has supervised crews on multiple multi-MWp deployments with strong safety records.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct daily on-site installation and crew assignments
• Enforce safety compliance and conduct toolbox meetings
• Track progress and report updates to project managers
• Validate installation work against approved designs
• Support testing, energization, and turnover

CARLO BENJAMIN NUCUM

Senior Project Manager

Carlo has long led the company’s engineering teams across full project lifecycles, from planning to commissioning. He has delivered multi-MWp systems for clients such as Liwayway Marketing, Bench, Toyota, New Zealand Creamery, and Atlantic Grains. A Registered Electrical Engineer with more than eight years of experience, he manages and oversees PEC-compliant installations and quality control across commercial and industrial sites.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead project teams and manage end-to-end delivery in entirety
• Oversee installation quality, safety, and technical compliance
• Coordinate with clients, suppliers, and engineering groups
• Review electrical plans and validate system performance
• Supervise testing, commissioning, and turnover documentation

Christopher Henry Hutchings

Sales Director

Chris brings four decades of international finance experience, including senior leadership roles in Hong Kong where he still qualifies as a Responsible Officer under the Hong Kong Securities and Exchange Commission requirements. His background in Private Wealth, managing client portfolios and evaluating long-term financial strategies allows him to help enterprise clients assess solar investments with clarity and confidence. Chris leads Solaren’s commercial sales strategy, working with clients to structure accurate proposals, reliably analyses return expectations, and build sustainable partnerships. He collaborates closely with engineering and procurement teams to ensure every system is designed, priced, and projected with precision.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership of enterprise and commercial sales strategy
• Client advisory on ROI, system design, and financial planning
• Proposal development with engineering and procurement teams
• Partnership building across commercial and industrial sectors
• Risk and value assessment for large-scale solar investments
• Reliable and trusted representation of Solaren in high-level client engagements and negotiations

Ronnie C. Lorenzo

General Manager & Corporate Secretary

Ronnie manages Solaren’s day-to-day operations, coordinating procurement, logistics, manpower, and documentation across all active project sites. He supervises regulatory submissions, contract execution, and local permitting to ensure every deployment remains compliant and on schedule. His critical role connects engineering, procurement, and administrative teams so projects move efficiently from planning to installation and commissioning. As Corporate Secretary, he maintains board records, supports executive reporting, and ensures transparency across the company’s internal processes and external commitments.

Key Responsibilities

• Daily operations, scheduling, and logistics
• Procurement coordination and supplier management
• Contract execution and regulatory submissions
• On-site documentation and compliance tracking
• Cross-team coordination from planning to commissioning
• Corporate Secretary duties and board record management

Anicia Pearce

President

Ann leads corporate governance, financial discipline, and regulatory compliance for Solaren, ensuring full alignment with the companies ever growing regulatory requirements. She manages audit readiness, internal controls, and risk management across all departments. Her work anchors the company’s expanding operations, providing clear structures for procurement, contracting, and documentation. Ann also oversees systems that ensure complete records and proper regulatory filings support each project from planning to commissioning. Her no-nonsense leadership reinforces Solaren’s credibility with clients, partners, and government agencies as the company continues to handle larger commercial and industrial portfolios.

 

Key Responsibilities

• Corporate governance and regulatory compliance
• Financial controls, budgeting, and audit readiness
• Risk management and operational discipline
• Oversight of contracting, documentation, and procurement workflows
• Alignment with all regulatory and Government standards
• Executive support for cross-department operations

Neil H. Pearce

Managing Director

Neil leads Solaren’s strategic planning and oversees all commercial, financial, and operational decisions across the company’s national portfolio. He brings over three decades of experience across Asia’s financial markets, including his past work and key Directorships for several private wealth management companies in Hong Kong. He guides capital allocation, project evaluation, and long-term planning while strengthening supplier relationships with global partners. Neil has overseen more than 85 MW of commercial, industrial, and residential installations and continues to steer Solaren’s expansion into AI-driven monitoring, energy storage, and enterprise-scale engineering systems. He also serves as a director for several regional companies.


Key Responsibilities

• Strategic direction and long-term planning
• Capital allocation and project funding oversight
• Partnership management with global suppliers
• Corporate governance and executive decision-making
• Evaluation of commercial and industrial project pipelines
• Expansion into energy storage and digital monitoring, together with Artificial Intelligence

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