DepEd to provide solar-powered computers to public schools with

no electricity
March 6, 2017
PASIG CITY, March 6, 2017 – In an effort to widen access to technology in far-flung areas, the
Department of Education (DepEd) is set to distribute computer packages and solar panels to
public schools in areas without available electricity.

According to Undersecretary Alain Del Pascua, for this year, the DepEd beneficiaries are about
6,000 public schools both in elementary and secondary levels in places without electrical supply.

“The innovation in this effort is that the computer package includes a solar panel that will
support the provision of electrical energy. We hope that these computers will help improve their
teaching and learning activities despite their remote location,” Pascua said.

The computer package includes one laptop and a 7-in-1 tablet.

“This is the government’s initiative to promote tech-savviness in rural barangays and let them
cope with the technological advancement of their counterparts in the urban area,” Pascua added.

The DepEd estimated that 4,000 beneficiaries will be coming from Luzon and Mindanao, while
2,000 schools will be from the Visayas.

With P1.4 billion funding under the DepEd 2015 Computerization Program budget, the
procurement is underway through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the
Department of Budget and Management-Procurement Service (DBM-PS).

(http://www.deped.gov.ph/press-releases/deped-provide-solar-powered-computers-public-
schools-no-electricity)

Public school uses solar power

By Perseus Echeminada
MANILA, Philippines - The Sitero Francisco Memorial National High School in Barangay
Ugong, Valenzuela City will be the first solar-powered school in the country after the installation
of a 1kW photovoltaic solar array to light its nine-classroom building.

The solar energy initiative is one of the flagship projects of school principal Cesar Villareal and
science department head Jameson Tan.

Tan scouted for potential donors and found Wanxiang America Corp. through the Foundation for
Environmental Education (FEE).
The six solar panels, worth P500,000, were shipped from Illinois, USA by Wanxiang America.
The city government of Valenzuela covered the duty on the cargo and the installation cost by
professionals from FFG Solar Power Inc.

The installation of the solar panels would make the high school the first school in the country to
have a hybrid energy setup, like the so-called “green schools” in the United States which use
solar energy and grid energy.

The solar panels can generate 1kW to 5kW of electricity per hour depending on the intensity of
sunlight. Unused solar energy is stored in eight deep-cycle batteries which can be used after
sunset. The panels also continue to absorb light from the night sky.

“Once operational, the solar project will help students become more aware of their energy
needs, the science behind it and other vital issues on energy utilization,” Villareal said.

A Web-based solar monitoring station will also be installed to monitor the energy production of
other affiliate solar schools abroad in real-time.

The data will be used in studies on electricity and renewable energy sources, and how these are
generated and used.

Villareal said that in the future, the school plans to develop a “green building” which teaches the
harvesting of rainwater for energy generation and ventilation, the preparation of landscapes to
reduce heat, reduction in water consumption, and recycling of waste water.

The ceremonial switching of lights was attended by Valenzuela City first district Rep Rex.
Gatchalian, second district councilor Shalani Soledad, Department of Education officials led by
division superintendent Dr. Flordeliza Mayari, and FEE representative William Manz.

(http://www.philstar.com/news-feature/580586/public-school-uses-solar-power)

DepEd teams with private sector for solar-powered schools

Published December 21, 2014 7:44am
To make sure pupils have access to electricity in schools, the Department of Education has
stepped up its team-up with the private sector for solar energy.

In a news release, the DepEd said it has forged agreements with Thrive Solar Energy Philippines
(TSEP) and Global Peace Foundation (GPF).

“It is unconscionable in the modern world to have children without access to light and electricity.
Through these partnerships, we assert our commitment to our duty to provide the same services
and the same resources to children in remote and off-the-grid areas,” DepEd Secretary Armin
Luistro said.

Luistro said solar lanterns, generator sets and electric panel boards "are set to improve students'
academic performance, and teachers' opportunity to explore innovative teaching strategies.”

Thrive Solar Energy is an India-based LED lighting solutions and solar power pack provider.
TSEP principal director Rumy Mohta said their goal is to have a long-term partnership with the
DepEd.

“Our goals as an organization go far beyond dominating the market – we aim to provide solar
energy to impoverished areas in the Philippines and around the world. This can only be done by
building sustained partnerships with the government,” Mohta said.

Initially, TSEP will provide 117 solar lanterns to San Isidro Elementary School in Antipolo City,
to be distributed to every student in every grade level.

Also, TSEP will help the DepEd in mobilizing advocates and potential benefactors through their
offshore networks.

Meanwhile, Global Peace Foundation Philippines seeks to organize a global network of leaders
who will develop community-based programs that uphold a culture of peace.

"The welfare of our schoolchildren is central in these joint efforts. We hope for more
partnerships dedicated to promoting education programs and molding our future leaders into
champions of peace and growth," GPF Asia Pacific Regional President Jin Soo Kim said.

GPF will extend its provision of solar generator sets to Pureg Elementary School in Sanchez
Mira, Cagayan; Flora Elementary School in Capas, Tarlac; and Tamale Elementary School in
Bongabon, Nueva Ecija.

For its part, DepEd will provide computer laboratories, computer units, tablets, and technical
training to teachers in those schools.

Meanwhile, LSIS and Yu Eng Kao Electric have also turned over to the DepEd 672 LS-
Fuji/Haya electric panel boards for the rebuilding of schools in areas recovering from super
Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News
(http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/scitech/technology/394041/deped-teams-with-private-
sector-for-solar-powered-schools/story/)

MLQU now Manila's first solar-powered university

Published November 23, 2014 6:14pm
Text and photos by BEA MONTENEGRO, GMA News
Manuel L. Quezon University has unveiled its newly-installed 96 kilowatt-peak solar panel
system on Nov. 19, making it the first solar-powered university in Manila.
Covering a total area of 621 sq.m., the solar panels are capable of providing around 28 percent of
the school’s daily energy needs.

“The use of renewable energy is ideal for a country like the Philippines,” said Dr. Isagani
Germar, MLQU president. The Philippines relies mostly on energy from fossil fuels, which emit
high levels of pollution. By shifting to using more renewable energy sources, pollution will go
down.

The installation of the solar panels was handled by Propmech Corporation which entered into a
memorandum of agreement with MLQU and the Department of Energy for the solar panel
system.

According to Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla, ownership of the solar panels will be
transferred to MLQU after 15 years.

This is all part of DOE’s goal of increasing the country’s total renewable energy installation of
5,521 megawatts by installing up to 100 kW rooftop solar PV systems in multiple schools across
the country.

Other schools that are planning on following MLQU’s lead are Mapua Institute of Technology,
St. Scholastica’s College, and La Consolacion College-Manila.

“Solar power supply has been in the country for five years. But when you ask people about it
they still respond with ‘what’s that?’” said Secretary Petilla. “Through this project, we can show
people that solar panels are here to stay.” — JDS, GMA News

Angara wants solar panels in public schools without access to

electricity
By: Maila Ager - Reporter / @MAgerINQ
INQUIRER.net / 11:22 AM April 10, 2015

Senator Sonny Angara. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/EDWIN BACASMAS

A bill mandating the installation of solar panels in public elementary and high school buildings
nationwide where electricity is not available has been filed at the Senate.

READ: Use of rooftop solar panels in Philippines pushed

Senate Bill No. 2597 filed by Senator Sonny Angara mandates the Department of Education, in
cooperation with the Department of Energy and the Department of Science and Technology, “to
ensure that solar panels with a capacity of at least 200 watts will be installed to public school
buildings not smaller than the size of three classrooms and laboratories or educational support
facilities of any size located in barangays where electrical line installation is not available.”

Angara’s bill is a counterpart of a measure that Teacher Partylist Representative Julieta Cortuna
initiated at the House of Representatives.

“Unfortunately, there are still public schools in remote areas of the country that are without
electricity. We still have public school students who are not yet enjoying the convenience and
benefits of having bright-lit classrooms and computers as tools for learning,” Angara said in a
statement on Friday.

“We must address this gap to promote better learning and comprehension skills among our
schoolchildren especially in far-flung areas,” the senator added.

While the National Electrification Administration has an ongoing electrification program that will
eventually include all public classrooms around the country, Angara said, the solar power will
serve as either the primary or alternative power source for the benefitted public classrooms.

“When electricity is not available, support technology for a quality education could not be
delivered,” he said.

“Our bill aims to ensure that all schools nationwide will have power to energize basic teaching
tools such as computers, printers and other laboratory equipment enabling them to deliver the same
degree of quality teaching as other schools with electricity,” Angara added. IDL

Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/684637/angara-wants-solar-panels-in-public-schools-

without-access-to-electricity#ixzz52KIutRf0
Use of rooftop solar panels
in Philippines pushed
By: Amy R. Remo - Reporter / @amyremoINQ
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 02:03 AM October 04, 2012

German and Philippine solar technology developers are pushing for a massive
installation of solar panels on rooftops of households, commercial establishments and
buildings as these could help ensure the country’ energy security over the long term.

“As we enter 2013, we would like to focus on the solar rooftops because we believe this
is going to be a major initiative by the [solar] industry in providing solutions to our
problems in the energy sector,” said Theresa Cruz-Capellan, one of the founders of the
Philippine Solar Power Alliance (PSPA).

“There are about half a million new residential projects that are going on stream every
year. If only 10 percent of these can be convinced to put solar panels on their rooftops,
that will be a big help to both the distribution utilities and power generation
companies,” Capellan said. She added that it would also help reduce the country’s
dependence on imported fossil fuels.

The potential market for solar industry players was estimated at about $450 million, or
P19 billion, yearly. This was based on the 50,000 households (representing 10 percent
of the half a million constructions yearly) that can install solar panels with a capacity of
2 kilowatts.

To produce a kilowatt of solar power from these rooftop panels, one would need to
invest about $4,500 for the actual components and installation works. This investment
can be recovered in about seven years but the solar panels usually last for at least 25
years, said Capellan.

She said investors in solar energy were also in talks with real estate developers and the
Climate Change Commission for the possible inclusion of rooftop solar panels in
housing projects within “ecotowns.”

Thomas Chrometzka, head of international affairs of Germany’s Bundesverband

Solarwirtschaft e.V., said that the potential of photovoltaic systems globally continued
to be underestimated in some parts of the world. In Germany, however, rooftop
installations account for about 80 percent of the installed solar capacity of 30 gigawatts.

Chrometzka said rooftop solar panels could be a viable solution for the Philippines
given its high solar irradiation level.

The Philippines is said to have solar irradiation of 1,900 kilowatts a square meter.

Electricity produced from solar energy, however, remained marginal compared to other
renewable energy sources, such as hydro and geothermal, due to the perceived high
costs of solar panels and installation.

Read more: http://business.inquirer.net/85370/use-of-rooftop-solar-panels-in-

philippines-pushed#ixzz52KJvtbeE