By Juzel L. Danganan
MANILA, Dec 14 (PNA) –- Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla is targeting 100 Megawatts (MWs) of solar panel installations in government offices and schools by 2015.
”We’re targeting 100 MWs next year, you can never tell how many projects, depends on the size,” Petilla told reporters.
The energy chief noted the House of Representatives and the Philippine Air Force had already expressed interest in the photovoltaic installations.
Petilla stressed he was instructed by House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte the Congress will be next – after Saint Scholastica’s College 96 kilowatt peak (kwP) installation on Wednesday. Once completed, it will be the fourth project initiated by the Department of Energy (DOE).
Among the options are converting the parking lot’s rooftop with solar panels, but the energy secretary stressed the DOE is still exploring and studying the Congress’ building structure.
Petilla said the entire complex might have a photovoltaic installation at a minimum of 1 Megawatt (MW).
However, the energy head assured the transaction will only be different from its previous projects, with the government required bidding phase and a ceiling price of Php 9.50 kilowatts per hour (kph).
”The only difference for this project is, it will have to be bid out. Ceiling price is at Php 9.50 kph, who can bid lower? Everything will be the same,” Petilla said.
Previously, Renewable Energy Management Bureau (REMB) Director Marasigan said a 100 kilowatt (kw) installation will take 60 days to install. Thus, the Congress installation might take a few months to be finished.
Relatively, the last three projects pushed by DOE only needed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and required no installation payments, as the school will only pay for the power it has used. It will automatically own the solar panels, after consistently paying for 15 years.
The three schools with installed solar panels are La Consolacion College – Manila, Manuel L. Quezon University (MLQU) and St. Scholastica’s College, all having installations within the 100 kilowatts range, with the panels supposedly costing between Php 8-10 million.
Further, for the Philippine Air Force planned installation, the energy secretary is asking whether the Villamor Airbase will last for another 15 years, adding it might be sold for 10 years, making the contract short.
”We asked them, will you not be taken down in ten years and be converted into a condo unit. That’s a valid concern. We have a plan for 15 years for the solar panels, but maybe in ten years the lot might be sold,” Petilla said.
On the other hand, he cited the DOE cannot directly install solar panels on its rooftops, stressing it might pass of the project to the Philippine National Oil Company – Renewables Corporation (PNOC-RC).
”DOE will go into it, but we cannot be the proponent for this, we need an arm… We are only for policy, we only show the example. Now the policy is there, we’re pushing it. I’ll probably pass it off to PNOC-RC,” the energy chief said.
Meanwhile, Petilla pointed out the 100 MWs are only DOE initiated projects, but many other projects are moving without its intervention.
If completed quickly, the 100 MW solar panel generation might help alleviate the Luzon reserve deficit by summer of 2015, ensuring power for the government offices, allowing others to have electricity supply from the grid.
Aside from the power generated, the agencies will also have a substantial decrease on its power bills, lowering its budget in the long run. (PNA)