First Gen donates solar power system to off-grid school in Tanay, Rizal

Lopez-led First Gen Corporation has helped address the electricity needs of a remote and off-grid public school in Tanay, Rizal, by providing the school a solar plus battery photovoltaic system.

First Gen recently turned over the power system to the Santa Ines Elementary School in Barangay Santa Ines, Tanay, Rizal, as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility program and in line with its commitment with the Board of Investments (BOI) on its existing clean energy power projects.

The donation aims not only to help the school get a clean and renewable energy source, but to show support to BOI’s own program of promoting renewable energy investments in the country.

The donated solar power system provides electricity for lighting the school and its perimeter, as well as for charging gadgets such as laptops and cell phones.

The school has 13 rooms in 4 buildings, including 7 classrooms, two libraries, a canteen, clinic, principal’s office and a separate room for Home Economics lessons. It has a student population of 238 that include Dumagat and Igorot indigenous people.

First Gen turned over the solar power system after company officials, led by Vice President Jerome Cainglet, formally signed the deed of donation for the solar photovoltaic system with Adoracion Valdez, the school head teacher.

First Gen also tapped Adtel, Inc., another Lopez Group company, as contractor to assemble all the components of the power system – such as the solar panels, inverters, batteries – and install them in the school. Adtel also trained the school representatives on the proper operation and maintenance of the system.

Adtel was originally organized in the mid-90s as a Lopez company offering telephony and communications products and services. In 2009, it ventured into the renewable energy business by rolling out solar home kits.

First Gen, which is the country’s leading clean and renewable energy company, also has in its portfolio a grid-connected 6.8-megawatt solar farm in Burgos, Ilocos Norte.

Aside from solar, First Gen’s portfolio of 22 power plants runs on natural gas, geothermal, hydro and wind. These plants have a total installed capacity of 3,477 megawatts.