Representatives of eight German companies are encouraging business owners in Cebu to use renewable energy specifically solar energy.
“In the long run, it’s the best solution and the most economic solution.” said Alexander Kaub, Inutec Solar Centre president.
Kaub cited the increasing price of coal and the more than 30-year life-cycle of solar panels as factors to switch to solar energy use.
“It (solar panel) has no smoke. . .the solar panel will run for 30 years without any price increases compared to oil,” Kaub said.
Aside from helping the environment, Kaub also pointed out the reliability of solar energy and its profitability.
“It would not be very expensive if you just have the right mind, the plan and the knowledge to do it,” he said.
Kaub, however, pointed out the challenges in using solar energy, which were finding the “secure situation” and the “secure law” that might suit investors.
“They (investors) need some security and financing,” Kaub said.
He said a way to get sustainable financing would be to lend money from international banks and using “carbon certificates”.
He said the best way to succeed in this business was to create network partners, implement the best technical and economical solutions in the long run, have an on and off-line based solar academy, and find sustainable financing.
The Inutec Solar Centre started in 1993.
“I am willing to use and sell solar energy products because the life cycle is long-time,” said Eastern Copperfields Trading Inc. owner Jess Frias.
Frias was one of the business owners who attended the forum.
Their company distributes solar batteries, engi neered solutions and systems among others.
They have been doing business for almost 20 years.
“I am willing to coordinate with the German solar companies.” Frias told 110 local businessmen, representatives from local government units (LGUs), who were at the Philippine-German Solar Energy Forum last Thursday at the Casino Español in Cebu City./Correspondent Rhea Ruth V. Rosell