ANOTHER school in Metro Manila has joined the solar energy bandwagon. Saint Paul College of Parañaque (SPCP) launched early this month its 96-kilowatt peak solar photovoltaic system, becoming the first solar-powered school in Parañaque City.
The school’s solar panels were installed by solar solutions provider Green Heat Corp. at the rooftop of SPCP’s high school gymnasium.
Green Heat, which specializes in small to large solar installations for homes and businesses, is behind the solar rooftops of Asian Development Bank, the Department of Budget’s PS-PhilGEPS and Manila Electric Co. fitness center.
The 70-year-old institution, which offers elementary and high-school education, will save over P1.4 million every year on its electric bill.
The school’s solar rooftop can generate 2.22 percent of its daily energy need estimated at 14,500 kilowatt-hours, which translates into P3,900 in savings each day or a monthly total savings of between P117,000 to P121,000. Using the system over a year has the equivalent of planting 525 trees.
“Conservation is a state of harmony between man and the land, which is what these solar panels are all about,” SPCP Directress Sis. Mary Edwardine Columbano said during the ceremonial launching of the solar rooftop. SPCP joins other schools that now use solar energy to cover part of their power requirements over the past two years. These include the Manila campuses of Manuel L. Quezon University, Saint Scholastica’s College, Mapúa Institute of Technology and La Consolacion College.
The high school unit of SPCP will benefit from the use of solar panels installed on 621 square meters of its gymnasium roof.
Parañaque Rep. Eric Olivarez, guest of honor at the recent launching of the SPCP solar rooftop, lauded Saint Paul College for being the first school in the city to install solar panels.
Olivarez encouraged other schools to follow Saint Paul College’s renewable energy effort as the city undertakes similar green initiatives, such as installing LED lamp posts.
Green Heat COO Helen Tong said the company’s partnership with Saint Paul College is significant because “children, being our future, are exposed to renewable energy at a young age and become better stewards of our planet.”
“Since the energy consumption of SPCP is at its peak during the day when classes are being held and its offices are open, operating its solar power plant gives the school its best savings,” Tong said.
SPCP students and teachers who attended the launching also learned about the many benefits of using solar energy during the open forum.