THE SOLAR PROJECT

BANTAYAN ISLAND

A reaction to the economic consequences of COVID-19 by contributing to ecological tourism industry.

Introduction

Every crisis is also an opportunity to enact positive change. In 2020, as COVID-19 abruptly brought the world to a standstill, the sudden drop in most industrial activities has dramatically reduced air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions.

Our Vision

However, ecologically sustainable development is always linked to the social and economic stability of an ecosystem. Our vision: sustainable tourism through solar energy.

Like so many others, we were confronted with new challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we also had a chance to reflect on our business strategies and projects.

The Property - SMAK's Hotel

«SMAK’s Hotel» is our boutique Hotel in Santa Fe, Bantayan Island – Philppines. It is our latest project since we already manage out travel agency «SYKE Travel & Tours» and our Restaurant and Bar «SMAK’s Restobar»

Rooms:

2x Two Bedroom Apartments
4x Double Rooms
2x Double Room with Extra Bed

Amenities:

All bedrooms are equipped with Split Type Inverter Air-Conditioners
The two Apartments on the ground floor have each an Inverter Refrigerator
Four of the Bedrooms upstairs have a Mini Bar Fridge
All of the 10 Showers have each a flow heater

We want to provide our guests as many Hotel amenities as needed but we tried to avail devices with as low energy consumption as possible.

Problem Definition

We are facing an immediate future of increased uncertainty and heightened restrictions in the hotel industry. But the real challenge is still to make the operations more socially, economically and ecologically sustainable for the long run.

Bantayan Island - Facts and Figures

Population: 160’000 (EST, census 2015: 120’447)
Area: 108.77 km² (Wikipedia)
Energy Consumption p.a.: 0.82 TWh (EST)
Energy Sources: 98% Fossil fuels (EST)

The island is administratively divided into three municipalities:

Bantayan (the largest municipality, covering the central part)
Madridejos (covering the northern portion)
Santa Fe (center of tourism in Bantayan Island, covering the southeastern portion)

Island Group

Bantayan is the main and largest island of the Bantayan island group (around 20 Islands) that lies close to the geographical centre of the Philippine archipelago.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bantayan_Island

On our island, electricity is costly, produced mainly by diesel-fueled generators, and service is also often interrupted. So during the lock-down, we decided to get out of this outdated, fossil-fuel-driven cycle and get serious about a more sustainable future.

The Philippines

Population: 108.1 Mio.
Energy Consumption p.a.: 530 TWh
Energy Sources: 88% Fossil fuels

Source: https://ourworldindata.org

Solution

We want to use the abundant energy of the sun not only for moments of happiness for our guests, but also for independent climate-neutral production of power.

Project Specs

Avg. Sunshine hours per day on Bantayan Island: 5.83h *
Avg. Energy Consumption Monthly (70% Occupancy): 3422 kWh **
Roof Space (entire): 222 m2
Roof Space (useable, 65%): 144.5 m2
Standard Size Solar Panel: 1m x 1.7m = 1.7m2
Number of Solar Panels: 85
Av. Solar Electricity Production (Monthly): 4519 kWh

Through Solar Energy we could produce more than 120% of our monthly Energy usage with an average Occupancy of 70%. The average monthly electricity bill is about 10% of the total cost under normal operation and around 6% of the monthly revenue.

* Source: https://beach-weather.com

** Source: Monthly Electricity Bill (Bantayan Island Electricity Corp. BANELCO)

With a photovoltaic system, our hotel and home could both become independent of the heavily polluting local power plants and avoid the frequent power cuts – to the benefit of our guest, natural environment and global climate.

The money we save on our average monthly power bill will also allow us to create two or three more steady jobs for our community.

Fitted with photovoltaic panels, the 140 square meters of roof space at our hotel complex could produce more electricity than we consume, enabling us to grow our business sustainably as well as support some of our neighbors with carbon-neutral electricity.

We want to react to the economic and social consequences of COVID-19 by contributing to a more sustainable tourism industry in the Philippines.

Thank you!

Enjoy a memorable stay on the one of the most amazing islands of the Philippines or you will be immortalized on our Wall of Fame.

For higher amounts we will include more incentives like full board Travel Packages to Bantayan Island.

With your help, our project could begin to do just that as soon as 2021.

About us

My name is Stefan Welter. I am an architect from Switzerland, and first came to the Philippines to support swiss NGOs in the reconstruction of rural schools and houses on Bantayan Island.

Today, my wife Kristine (born in the Philippines, 1982), our son Martin (born in the Philippines, 2017) and I run a hotel on Bantayan Island with the help of our small but dedicated staff. The Name SMAK’s came out from the abbreviation of our Names: Stefan, Martin and Kristine.

Next to the Hotel we also manage a Restaurant (SMAK’s Restobar) like also a Travel Agency (SYKE Travel & Tours).

Thank you so much for your support, and we hope to welcome you on Bantayan Island soon!

Powering Up with Solar: Our Campaign Result

We want to express our sincerest gratitude for the amazing support that we received from you!

What we have accomplished

Your contributions were extremely valuable and helped us to reach a fund raising of EUR 4,085 for our Solar Set Up.

Thanks to your generosity, our team was able to implement a solar project that will make a significant impact in reducing our carbon footprint. Our journey was filled with challenges, but we persevered and were able to successfully install a solar system for our auxiliary facilities.

Our commitment towards sustainability is stronger than ever before, and we could not have done it without you.

Your encouragement and positive energy have inspired us to continue our efforts towards creating a greener future for generations to come. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being a part of this incredible journey with us!

Calculation of Wattage Input and Usage

In order to determine the amount of energy being consumed, it is essential to calculate the wattage input of the device. This can be done by assessing the device’s power rating, typically measured in watts. The wattage usage can then be calculated by recording the amount of time the device is being used and multiplying it by the wattage input. For example, a device with a power rating of 500 watts used for 5 hours would result in an energy consumption of 2,500 watt-hours. Understanding the wattage input and usage of appliances and electronics can assist in managing energy consumption and ultimately reduce energy bills.

Solar Setup - Specifications and Costs

Our solar setup, consisting of 8 solar panels and 8 batteries with a total power output of 5.3 kW, was installed at a cost of 339,000 Philippine Pesos or approximately 6,000 Euros. While this initial investment may seem high, it is important to consider the long-term benefits and cost savings of renewable energy. With the use of solar power, we are able to significantly reduce our electricity bills and decrease our reliance on non-renewable energy sources. Additionally, over time, the cost of solar technology has decreased and become more affordable, making it a practical and sustainable option for individuals and businesses alike.

Implementation

Our restaurant in the garden area, which we can now supply completely with solar power, includes a kitchen with several freezers and refrigerators as well as many other devices that enable the operation of a restaurant kitchen, but also have a high consumption of electricity.

Together with the office equipment, this represents about one third of the total electricity consumption.

However, as a testament to our commitment to harnessing clean energy, we have invested in a new 5kW solar system. Its acquisition is indeed a milestone, as it enables us to proudly stake our claim as the very first restaurant on Bantayan Island that is fully powered by renewable energy. We hope not only to inspire the community by setting a positive example but also to make a tangible impact in reducing our carbon footprint

The rooms in our hotel are all equipped with air conditioners and have other amenities such as refrigerators and instant water heaters for hot water in the showers.

Comfort sometimes conflicts with the rational use of energy resources. We will therefore continue to work towards eventually powering our entire hotel with sustainably produced electricity – thanks to you, we have now taken an important first step!

The Final Project

Since mid-2022 we have been working on the implementation of our project, which we planned as follows: In a first step, the existing outbuilding, which contains the restaurant-kitchen and the travel agency, was raised by one floor and extended by an open annex on the side. On the additional floor we will create a small loft apartment, for us as a family of four by now.

The ten solar panels (1.0m x 2.0m) were installed on the roof of the new structure, while the batteries were installed in the lower portion of the addition.

We were able to have the solar set-up installed back in December 2022 and, after a few initial difficulties, it is now running flawlessly.

Mangrove Tree Planting

A mangrove is a shrub or tree that grows in coastal saltwater areas. It is an important component for maintaining biodiversity in tropical areas.

As part of our campaign, we wanted to make an additional contribution to the environmental sustainability of Bantayan Island and planted about 100 mangrove seedlings.

The Wall of Fame

The Wall of Fame is created in plywood with the perforation and pattern engraved or cut out with a CNC laser. In addition to immortalizing our supporters, it will also serve as a cover for the solar batteries.

The wall will be installed in the lower part of the annex or at the stairs to the upper floor.

Since all supporters are Swiss (even if not all of them reside in Switzerland), the pattern should represent a graphic union of both flags – the Swiss cross becomes the Philippine sun and vice versa.

Santo Niño is considered the local saint of the Cebu region and presents itself in practically every household, restaurant and hotel.

The Wall of Fame - Registration

Thank you for your support for our project and we hope that with your help we can make an effective contribution to the sustainable development of Bantayan Island.

Credits:

This Project is a collaboration between SMAK’s Hotel, SWELTER Ventures and Phirstfilm GmbH.

The pandemic, it can be said, was only slightly noticeable since the middle of 2022 and we were very pleased with the numerous guests from all over the world that we have been able to welcome since last year.

Many thanks also to those of you who have already visited us and we would of course be very happy about any further visits from our project supporters. For all those who would like to have an insight into the visitors’ perspective, we recommend the following YouTube video of two of our guests.