Solar Philippines has completed the largest solar-battery micro-grid in Southeast Asia that is now benefitting the Paluan town in Occidental Mindoro. With tiow megawatts of solar panels, two MW batteries and two MW diesel backup, it is designed to supply reliable power 24 hours a day at a lower cost.
The project uses panels from Solar Philippines Factory and is the first micro-grid in Asia to feature Powerpacks from Tesla, a leading manufacturer of batteries and electric vehicles.
It marks the launch of “Solar Para Sa Bayan”, an initiative by Solar Philippins founder Leandro Leviste to bring cheaper and more reliable power to areas poorly served by utilities in support of the Duterte administration’s program to end energy by 2022.
Mindoro was dunned as the “brownout capital of the Philippines” due to extended power outages, but during the project inauguration, residents rased a banner proclaiming “No more brownouts” and recognized the event as a turning point for Paluan, which never had power 24/7.
Solar Philippines CEO Leandro Leviste presents a “Duterte Edition” solar panel to President Rodrigo Duterte. Also on stage are DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi, PEZA Director General Charito Plaza, and Solar Philippines COO Roy Oyco. The Solar Philippines Factory is one of the largest and most advanced in Asia, with 2.5 million panels and 800 MW annual capacity. (www.solarphilippines.ph)
Mayor Carl Pangilinan said Paluan first received four hours of daily electricity in 1978 from the Occidental Mindoro Electrc Cooperative but it waived the franchise due to difficulties in serving the town. By 2014, the National Power Corp. (Napocor) resumed service at an average of 16 hours a day, with outages that sometimes lasted for several days. With Solar Philippines, Mayor Pangilinan said Palauenos enjoyed their first Christmas without power interruptions.
Paluan used to consume subsidies of over P30 million a year, but with Solar Philippines, it can operate subsidy-free. The Paluan Solar-Battery Micro-Grid was presented in August 2017 at the inauguration of the Solar Philippines Factory, which President Duterte attended.
WITH REPORTS FROM: The Philippine Star
PHOTOS FROM: http://mindoronews.com, http://bilyonaryo.com.ph
