Filipino innovators are designing projects using renewable energy that could help ease the recession brought about by the international COVID-19 outbreak. The international non-profit New Energy Nexus, one of Sikat Solar Challenge Foundation Inc’s partners, hosted the webinar “Enabling Communities through Energy Innovations” where eight groups of Filipino engineers and innovators presented their projects.  

The eight projects were Solar Hope, Solar Sari, and Light of Hope Ph (to provide solar power access for communities to address basic needs, livelihood and connectivity); Energy Exchange (to finance clean energy access through crowdfunding); Straw Innovations Ltd, and Circular Solutions (to innovatively use rice straws and food wastes into clean fuels and fertilizer); and SmarterMeter, and A+ Buildings (to manage energy costs through energy modelling software and tracking devices). 

According to New Energy Nexus, approximately 150 start-up companies, entrepreneurs, investors, non-government organizations, government representatives, energy professionals, climate advocates, and the academe participated in the demo day on July 30, 2020, in Zoom and Facebook Live. 

Lack of energy access for basic services can limit the opportunities of far-flung communities. With these eight projects presented, remote communities can access to basic services, increase productivity in their livelihoods, and address other issues related to energy like communication. 

The online gathering was graced by Danny Kennedy (CEO of California-based New Energy Nexus), Dr. Bjoern Surborg (GIZ Philippines climate change projects coordinator) Dr. Johannes Kadura (FES Philippines Resident Representative), Hon. Loren Legarda (House Deputy Speaker), and Dr. Enrico Paringit (Executive Director of the Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development)

Watch the eight Filipino energy innovators share their projects here! #