DOE pushes solar power in schools, gov’t hospitals

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Energy (DOE) is pushing for the use of solar power in schools, government hospitals and eventually, in homes.

Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla led yesterday the ceremonial switch-on of the solar photovoltaic (PV) net metering Facility in La Consolacion College – Manila (LCCM), the first school under the DOE’s solar pilot project.

Under the program, solar companies will install the system in schools at no cost to the educational institutions and to the DOE, with the schools agreeing to use solar energy for roughly 15 years.

Petilla is also eyeing to have the system installed in other schools, including Manuel L. Quezon University, St. Scholastica’s College and Miriam College, this year.

“When we started this endeavour, we envisioned it to project an idea that can convince other institutions from different sectors to follow the bandwagon of putting solar panels in their respective buildings,” Petilla said.

Petilla said the project is a win-win scenario both for the institution and the company that installed the panels. He also noted that the maintenance of the panels will be handled by the company.

In La Consolacion, solar system firm Trademaster was tapped for the project.

“Trademaster is obliged to clean the panels if necessary from time to time since La Consolacion would pay the amount of solar power they produced for a particular time,” Petilla said.