SunSmart

 Solarizing Islands Philippines

By Demi Braque

The Philippines is an archipelago. As such, regions and localities are divided by bodies of water. Providing power from island to island, especially those not easily reached by public transportation poses a real challenge.

Seeing this predicament, while seeking for sources of silica around the country, SunSmart Power Technologies saw an opportunity to address this concern. Silica is the main component of electronic devices and gadgets and of which the Philippines has an abundance of. Adapting to the Filipino lifestyle, SunSmart, in 2016, started providing alternative source of power to zero grid areas.

The IMoGen (Intelligent Mobile Generator), which was charged using solar panels, was initially meant for emergencies and instances when there was a power shortage. It replaced the diesel generator into a sustainable generator using solar fuel - a green energy solution that needs to be optimized in a country with a lot of sunlight!

"We were awarded the ACES distinction in Malaysia in 2021 for Sunsmart's social impact, as the most promising product in Asia. Our 200-watt household generator only needed one panel and that panel is foldable so you can carry it anywhere. Plus, our generators are connected to our Energy Management Movement so we get to monitor them online," shared co-founder and president Jenny Lin Maaño-Ngai.

Since SunSmart was serving the zero grid areas, it started reaching out far flung localities through CSR efforts with the SunSmart Ngai Che Hon Foundation.

"We tapped into tourism areas situated in remote areas near the seaside. Once power is introduced and the resort business starts running, employment is created. The good thing about the IMoGen is that it can harvest energy even in low light conditions. 

"With so many challenges Filipinos are facing today, we need to be hybrid and use a combination of power sources so our endeavors are not hindered by the loss of one source," she emphasized.

Currently, SunSmart is servicing areas in Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, other localities in MiMaRoPa, the Calabarzon region, and soon in the island of Mindanao. Dealers provide the IMoGen units is these areas.

SunSmart co-founder and president Jenny Lin Maaño-Ngai is one of the awardees in the forthcoming Outstanding Men & Women of the Philippines ceremonies, to be handed out by Best Magazine and the RDH Entertainment Network in late August 2023.

From the 200-watt household generators, there are other product configurations that can serve the needs of local government units (LGUs), as well as business ventures around the archipelago. Demos in product galleries and showrooms are readily available. For more information, simply check out the company Web site, www.sunsmartisp.com.