Greenpeace Launched Solar Rooftop Challenge, Bust Negative Renewable Energy Myths

Few days ago, Greenpeace, launched the Solar Rooftop Challenge to further emphasize the importance of renewable energy, just right in time for the start of the comprehensive government energy policy review. It's an aggressive information campaign that highlights the potential of producing solar energy in our country and a way to prove to that even the incoming rainy season won't be a hurdle in its implementation.

Greenpeace launched Solar Rooftop Challenge

Like what we said earlier, the highlight of the Solar Rooftop Challenge is to showcase the benefits of using solar and bust the misguided notions that hinder individuals and companies from taking it up by showcasing existing solar rooftop installations everywhere.

"Today, we are launching the Solar Rooftop Challenge to create a platform for the young and urban Filipinos to join the discussion on renewable energy, particularly the use of solar energy. At the same time that the young, hip and trendy Filipinos are ‘arriving’, so is the use of solar energy,” explained Reuben Muni, Climate and Energy Campaigner for Greenpeace Southeast Asia Philippines.

In that launch, Greepeace also unveiled the video series called JuanaSolar Busts a Myth in Minutes, which features celebrity advocates Saab Magalona, Yam Concepcion and Dingdong Dantes busting the myths surrounding the use of solar energy.

JuanaSolar Bust are videos that debunks myths that solar energy is expensive, unreliable, impractical, uneconomic, and beyond the reach of the average Filipino.

“By showing that many Filipinos across the country have already made the switch to solar energy, we are sending a message to the incoming Duterte Administration to take to heart this energy policy review and listen to the clamor of many more Filipinos who want clean and renewable sources of electricity for their homes, offices, and businesses,” added Muni.

The event of Greenpeace also showcased empowering stories about the solar revolution that's already happening in many parts of the Philippines -  from a solar-powered church, to solar-powered schools, malls, and many households.

More renewable energy tools

Greenpeace aims to serve as a platform for the thousands of Filipinos who have already embraced the solar revolution to show and tell their stories as well as exchange and share ideas and information to persuade other people to start switching to clean and safe renewable electricity from their rooftops.

“The stories will show energy independence through solar energy. We will break the myths surrounding renewable energy and create a powerful testament on its practicality, cost-effectiveness, and reliability to propel the Philippines to a future powered by clean and sustainable energy,” Muni said.

Renewable Energy advocates  Illac Diaz (from left), Jun Sabayton, Jasmin Curtis-Smith and Saab Magalona

The launch event featured informative lectures and discussions by Obet Verzola, author of the book Crossing Over: the Energy Transition to Renewable Energy and Executive Director of Center for Renewable Electricity Strategies (CREST), and Dann Diez, Executive Director of Sustainable Energy and Enterprise Development for Communities, who presented data and experiences showing that solar energy installation is affordable, accessible and more cost-effective in the long run.

It's time to prioritize renewable energy now.