State-run power firm brings solar rooftop project to Leyte

TACLOBAN CITY, March 3 (PNA) -- State owned Philippine National Oil Corporation – Renewables Corporation (PNOC-RC) is set to bring its Solar Rooftop Project to the province of Leyte to be put up at the legislative building here.

Leyte Vice Governor Carlo P. Loreto said they have readily accepted PNOC- RC’s proposal to install the solar project, saying that the province has always been in full support to renewal energy initiatives of the government and help in decreasing carbon footprint.

PNOC-RC President Carlos Jose P. Gatmaitan formally presented their proposal for the province of Leyte on Tuesday.

As part of the agreement a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility, also called solar panels, will be installed at the rooftop of the legislative building. The proponent will provide LED lights as well for the various offices inside the building.

One advantage of the facility is the availability of the net-metering scheme, which generates excess energy to savings.

According to the PNOC-RC, for every 100 kilowatts of solar panels installed, approximately 140,000 kilowatts per hour of electricity per year can be generated. In turn, this can generate savings of about Php1,400,000 per year for government offices.

The agreement will provide for a 15-year cooperation period, after which ownership of the solar panels will be transferred to the Leyte provincial board. Should there be saving from the power generated from the project, 20 percent of which will go back to the proponent while 80 percent will go back to the coffers of the local government.

The savings can then be used by board members to rehabilitate the building, according to Loreto.

Presently, the legislative building power bill costs around Php35,000 a month.

Loreto added that a PNOC-RC team will be visiting and checking the building’s viability for the solar panels.

PNOC- RC is mandated to pursue and implement projects on new, renewable, non-conventional and environment-friendly energy sources and systems.

As part of its mandate, PNOC-RC launched the solar TV program in government institutions to reduce their electrical demand and energy consumption through the use of renewable energy systems.

 

PNOC-RC plans to implement its Solar PV Program in government institutions for to them realize savings in their electricity bill by installing solar power in their rooftops.

In 2015, PNOC-RC has inaugurated similar facilities in two government agencies in Quezon City (Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Philippine Heart Center). It also opened a similar project at the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) last month. (PNA)
PGL/SQM/AHLETTE C. REYES & LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA/EGR