After disasters, power outages immediately follow. Homes and entire communities are severely affected. The problems worsen because even businesses and services that are crucial to recovery also do not have electricity. Grocery stores, drug stores, hardware shops, and banks limit their hours or close shop because they do not have electricity themselves. For instance, gas stations shut down because the underground tanks cannot pump gas without electricity. This hinders rescue operations and the transport of relief goods and services.
Households that lose electricity in the wake of disasters lose the means to store food and medicines. In areas where water systems rely on power to run, hundreds of families lose access to water for drinking and cooking, and household needs like washing, cleaning, and disinfecting.
(Pictures courtesy of Jang Monte-Hernandez, Gabriela Women's Party-List)
Factories and big companies also rely on electricity for their continuous operations. Strong typhoons and earthquakes bring down electricity poles, cutting off power supplies. Many businesses fold; in cases when electricity services do not resume fast enough, some opt to move to other cities. A domino effect is created in communities where these businesses used to operate: jobs are lost, and cities and municipalities lose millions in revenues and property taxes. Not only do cities and regions have to contend with the difficulties of rebuilding: they will also have to struggle to sustain their economic base.
Solar Energy As a Solution
It is long overdue that renewable energy including solar energy is widely recognized as immediately viable, accessible, and affordable power-generating technologies that bolster resilience and can provide valuable use for disaster response and recovery efforts.
Solar energy can power just about anything: communications, water purification, refrigeration, water, pumping, medical equipment, and lighting.
Solar PV systems customized for disaster relief and mitigation needs can be used as an alternative to diesel and gas generators. Evacuation centers can source their 24/7 electricity needs from the sun; they can drastically bring down dependence on expensive fuel sources. The versatility of solar PV technology allows it to also provide heating for buildings and heat water for mobile clinics and kitchens.
When traditional utility services are down, renewable energy technologies like solar can be depended on to ensure continued operations of businesses and vital services in communities. Through the years, the prices of solar PV systems have gone down significantly; they should not be considered "luxury items" but necessities. In regions and provinces frequently hit by typhoons and other natural calamities, it is cost-efficient and practical to utilize solar PV technologies. Their installation and maintenance should be incorporated into provincial and region-wide resilience and disaster preparations and measures. Solar PV systems should be built into government buildings and structures, including community halls, evacuation centers, and hospitals.
To many, solar PV systems with batteries seem very expensive, but when we think of the value of electricity during emergencies – how much it is needed – the costs of installing solar are put into perspective. The costs of PV compare are cheaper compared to operating and maintaining portable fossil-fueled generators, especially if the transportation of diesel fuel or gasoline is put into consideration.
Finally, solar PV systems are the least expensive option and far more reliable than the grid when utilized for remote applications, such as weather stations, communication systems, and early warning devices. These are very needed in areas where calamities strike annually. Solar PV technology has long been proven to be a more reliable and cost-effective source of power for these applications. They are also ideal for emergency communications, early-warning systems, and maintaining the operations and maintenance for evacuation operations.