BPI inaugurates 1st solar-powered branch

MANILA, Philippines - Advocating a cleaner environment, Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI) inaugurates today (May 24) its first solar-powered branch, located at Ayala Ave. Extension in Makati.

BPI senior vice president Florendo Maranan said they have invested P150,000 for the solar panels.

In partnership with energy service company Solarus Partners Inc., BPI installed two 2.5-kilowatt (kw) commercial solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in the pilot branch.

These panels, Maranan said, are expected to produce 6,200 kilowatthours (kwh) of power a year, which translates to an estimated 25 percent savings in the branch’s electricity bill.

“We’re exploring solar energy systems for branches that are off-grid or those that do not have regular or stable source of power,” said Maranan, who also heads BPI’s Sustainability Office.

“It’s not the intense summer heat that had prompted BPI to put up these solar panels in one of its branches. As the first of its kind to be installed by a local bank, BPI hopes that the move will not only put the spotlight on the global crusade for a greener planet.”

“(With the solar panels,) We want to showcase the best green practices in a single branch so that we can demonstrate the benefits that can be derived from the strategy,” said Maranan. “In fact, this same branch will also be the pilot for our other green initiatives, such as LED signage, rainwater harvesting, and inverter air-conditioning units.”

The Ayala Ave. extension branch was chosen primarily because of its location. As it is not surrounded by tall buildings, sunlight can freely be caught by the solar panels. It is also near the BPI head office so its performance will be easy to monitor. If successful, this endeavor might be replicated in other branches throughout the country.   

As the Philippines has been identified as one of the countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, there is a pressing need for local businesses to adapt a more sustainable way of doing business.