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RESEARCH TITLE:
A Study on Effectiveness of
the Usage of Solar Powered
Street Lights in Barangay
Mayao Castillo
A Research by
KIA ADRIENNE G. BULACAN 1
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CHAPTER I
The Problem and Its Background

Introduction:
As the problem with global warming continues to be worsen, and as a resources
decrease faster in front of our eyes, nations world wide try to look for alternative
solutions to address their needs- one of which is the need for energy. Because of this, a
lot of them utilize the renewable resources available for energy production such as wind
for windmills and sunlight for solar power. (
https://www.takiyojapan.com/blogs/news/a-study-about-solar-lights-in-the-Philippines)

Being located near the equator, the Philippines makes an optimal location for
harvesting solar energy as it is within the sun’s path in the ecliptic plane throughout the
year. Furthermore, other factors like being one of the countries in Asia, along with Japan,
with the highest electricity cost necessitate the need for a cheap alternative energy 2
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source in the country.
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Elecricity made a great impact in our world since it was discovered. Energy
conversion is the process of changing one form of energy to another form of
energy. Solar energy, which is the primary source of renewable energy in the
earth, is considered a better choice as a source of electricity because as stated, it
is renewable. Nowadays, solar energy is being utilized for street lights but most
street lights still run on electric energy.

Mayao Castillo is one of the barangays in Lucena City, Quezon Province. It

is a remote area and about an hour from town proper. It is one of the agricultural
area in Lucena, and still uses the conventional one. For this, the researchers
decided to conduct a study about the efficiency of using solar street lights instead
of ordinary street lights.

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Background oftitle
Click to edit Master thestyleStudy:
With increasing problems regarding the use of the conventional streetlights, possible
alternatives have been provided to solve the issue. Solar-powered streetlights as a
replacement for the conventional one would be a better option, given the benefits that the
solar-powered streetlights give. The source of this energy called solar energy is
non- polluting, low maintenance and renewable source, unlike the traditional sources of
energy like coal and oil.

Mayao Castillo, an agricultural are still uses the conventional streetlights and spends
a lot for the power used and the maintenance of it. And so, possible changing of these
conventional streetlights to the solar
powered one could be a better choice for the management. But still, changing the
conventional one to the solar-powered streetlights would surely be a great risk. From the
investment to the replacement and maintenance, as well as the overall benefits, a big
innovation like this would not be that easy. This research provides the findings of a study
through surveys with the knowledgeable persons regarding the topic. And so, it will
determine which of the two sources of power for streetlights in Mayao Castillo would be
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better.
Conceptual/ Theoretical Framework :
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Profile of the
respondents in Conduct a survey to
terms of: Importance of
answer research
problem and
having question and can
A. Gender solar street help the researcher
B. Age lights in the
to formulate
conclusion as well as
C. Occupation community recommendations.
D. Years of
Residency

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Statement of the Problem :
Click
This to edit
research Master
aims title
to assess thestyle
effectiveness of the usage of solar street
lights in Barangay Mayao Castillo. This will be further assessed by answering
the following specific objectives:

1. What are the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of:

a. Gender
b. Age
c. Occupation
d. Years of residency

2. What will be the benefits in using solar street lights instead of regular street
lights in terms of natural environment?

3.How long would it take to replace and install the proposed solar street lights
in Brgy. Mayao Castillo? 6 6
Statement of the
Click to edit Master title Problem
style :
This research aims to assess the effectiveness of the usage of solar
street lights in Barangay Mayao Castillo. This will be further assessed by
answering the following specific objectives:

1.How will the benefits from the technology compensate the amount of
investment?

2. What will be the benefits in using solar street lights instead of regular
street lights in terms of natural environment?

3.How long would it take to replace and install the proposed solar street
lights in Brgy. Mayao Castillo? 7 7
 Significance oftitle
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style
The findings which this study will reveal, may benefit certain groups and the benefits
they may be able to gain are as follows:

To the People of the community may use this study to prove that they will
benefit to the use of solar street lights than conventional one because street lights is
one of the essential needs of every community.

To the Barangay officials may use this study to serve as their basis, record
or guide to know how effective solar street lighting is.

To the Researchers will know the value of improving street lighting

that will serve as a good source of accurate and useful information because of their
findings of the study.
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Scope and
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Master title style :
This study is all about the effectiveness of the usage of solar street
lighting in barangay Mayao Castillo Lucena City. This research aimed to
define and to know the effectivity of solar street lighting and how can
improve it.

This study focuses only in a specific barangay which is Mayao

Castillo Lucena City. This involve a survey of those who are the resident
of the said community. The selection of respondents are only limited
since there are lots of people in barangay.

This research is designed to have enough assessment on how the

solar light is effective in the community. 9 9
 CHAPTER
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Related Literature and Studies
This chapter presents the review of related literature and studies, which was used by the researchers to
strengthen the framework of the study. This was used extensively to better understand the findings of the study.

RELATED LITERATURE
Solar electricity can be a great source of power where your power requirements are modest, there is no
other source of electricity easily available and you have a good amount of sunshine. (Boxwell, 2016)

Not only will these systems contribute to environmental sustainability in our region, but the cost savings
will also contribute to the financial stability of our schools in the years ahead. (Ingersoll, 2010)

Beyond the cost savings, solar power is a key component of [our college’s] long-term sustainability
strategy as we seek innovative ways to reduce our carbon footprint. (Dishaw, 2010)

According to the International Energy Agency (2002), solar energy does not produce air or water pollution
or greenhouse gases. However, using solar energy may have some indirect negative impacts on the
environment. For example, some toxic materials and chemicals are used to make the photovoltaic (PV)
cells that convert sunlight into electricity. Some solar thermal systems use potentially hazardous fluids to
transfer heat. U.S. environmental laws regulate the use and disposal of these types of materials. 1010
Solar electricity can be a great source of power where your power requirements are modest, there is no other
source of electricity easily available and you have a good amount of sunshine. (Boxwell, 2016)
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Not only will these systems contribute to environmental sustainability in our region, but the cost savings will also
contribute to the financial stability of our schools in the years ahead. (Ingersoll, 2010)

Beyond the cost savings, solar power is a key component of [our college’s] long-term sustainability strategy as we
seek innovative ways to reduce our carbon footprint. (Dishaw, 2010)

According to the International Energy Agency (2002), solar energy does not produce air or water pollution or
greenhouse gases. However, using solar energy may have some indirect negative impacts on the environment.
For example, some toxic materials and chemicals are used to make the photovoltaic (PV) cells that convert
sunlight into electricity. Some solar thermal systems use potentially hazardous fluids to transfer heat. U.S.
environmental laws regulate the use and disposal of these types of materials.

According to Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla, ownership of the solar panels will be transferred to MLQU
after 15 years. This is all part of DOE’s goal of increasing the country’s total renewable energy installation of 5,521
megawatts by installing up to 100 kW rooftop solar PV systems in multiple schools across the country.
(Montenegro, 2014)

According to Misolar, “Solar energy begins with the sun. Solar panels (also known as PV panels) are used to
convert light from the sun, which is composed of particles of energy called "photons", into electricity that can be
used to power electrical loads. A solar panel is a flat construction resembling a window”. 11
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Solar modules use light energy (photons) from the sun to generate electricity through the photovoltaic effect. The
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majority of modules use wafer-based crystalline silicon cells or thin-film cells based on cadmium telluride or
silicon. The structural (load carrying) member of a module can either be the top layer or the back layer. Cells must
also be protected from mechanical damage and moisture. Most solar modules are rigid, but semi-flexible ones are
available, based on thin-film cells. These early solar modules were first used in space in 1958. (Dhere, 2002)

A totally independent street light system comprising: an upright pole adapted to be mounted on a supporting
surface; a dry storage battery; a plurality of solar panels coupled to said battery, each of said panels having a
plurality of solar cells connected in series for providing a predetermined voltage to said battery, each of said
panels connected in parallel to provide a predetermined amperage to said battery, all of said panels being
mounted in a single unitary assembly on said pole, a street light mounted on said pole electrically coupled to said
battery and actuated by said battery, a light actuated photocell coupled to said light for selectively lighting said light
dependent upon light conditions at said pole (Stackpole, 1983).

Solar-powered street lights are usually placed in areas for street lighting, jogging and bike paths, entrances,
parking lots, perimeter security, parks, campuses, and sidewalks to name a few. It has numerous benefits such as
having no line voltage, trenching and metering, since it produces its own power. Being solar powered, they are not
affected by brown-outs or power outages, ensuring that light will be provided in the area. They also possess long-
life PV modules with more than 25 years of power generation capacity, meaning that even though solar powered-
lamps have a higher initial cost, it would pay for itself in the long run since it has almost no maintenance cost, and
it wouldn’t have electric bills unlike normal street lights. (Manila Bulletin, 2014).
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 CHAPTER III
Research
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Master title style
This chapter presents the research design, data gathering tools, data gathering procedures
data analysis and statistical treatment.

Research Design
The research design used in this study is descriptive which assess the effectiveness of the
usage of solar street lights in Barangay Mayao Castillo, Lucena City.

Respondents of the Study

The respondents of this study are the barangay officials and residents of Barangay Mayao
Castillo, who used solar street lighting in their barangay. Some of them are chosen through
convenience sampling. Convenience sampling is obtained by asking members of the population of
interest if they would take part in your research. This is a quick way and easy way for choosing
participants.

Data Gathering Tools

Surveys or questionnaires are instruments used for collecting data in this research. We include
a set of standardized questions, that explore a specific topic and collect information about opinions, 1313
attitudes, or behaviors.
Data Gathering
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Master title style
The validation of the instrument, the researcher made a request letter signed by
the practical research teacher. After given permission, the researcher explained the
purpose of the study to her respondents and then she made sure each participant
corresponds to their predefined criteria. She collected the data by means of survey
questionnaire that comprises their age and gender. The problems encountered by the
respondents will be identified through the second part of the survey questionnaire that
was given to them. After the respondents have taken the tests the paper were
checked, tallied,interpreted and analyzed.

Administration of the test

Questionnaire were administered to a convenience sampling in a population of
resident of Barangay Mayao Castillo, wherein each questionnaire was a time allotted
to answer it.

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Locale of the Study
The locale of the study is in barangay Mayao Castillo. Mayao Castillo is a
Click
village to editand
in Lucena Master title
has about style
2,910 residents. Mayao Castillo is situated southwest
of Alupaye, and east of Mayao Parada.

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Click to edit Master title style
Research Instrument
The researcher will use survey type of questions in order
to assess the effectiveness of solar street lights in Barangay
Mayao Castillo. Open ended questions are added in the
survey in order to collect data that is more in-depth and
comprehensive. For those who were interviewed individually,
were asked questions that specifically target their field.

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 Research
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title style

The researcher chose a quantitative approach to be able to

achieve statistically reliable results. Its primary focus is to achieve
objectivity. On the other hand, the qualitative method would help gain
further insight and depth to the findings of this study. By being
subjective, the research would be richer. The two methods will help the
researchers understand the effectiveness of solar powered street lights
in Barangay Mayao Castillo.

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