Solar roof relieves Isabela school’s outages
SCHOOL management and students in an Isabela town can now be relieved of concerns regarding power outages as power from a renewable and sustainable source can supplement their electricity requirements.
SN Aboitiz Power-Magat (SNAPMagat) turned over and switched on rooftop solar panels with a capacity of 3.3 kilowatts to the Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo National High School, one of the biggest public schools in Ramon, Isabela. The project was a collaboration between the school’s General Parent-Teacher-Community Association (GPTCA) and SNAP-Magat volunteers.
The GPTCA purchased solar batteries and inverters while SNAPMagat volunteers have committed to providing installation and maintenance support to ensure the optimal functioning of the solar panels.
Daryl Homer Ramos, SNAPMagat assistant vice president and plant manager, said the donation could save the school around P5,000 per month from electric consumption, directing potential savings toward supporting the school’s 800 staff and students combined. “By supporting our communities and promoting sustainable practices, we remain true to our mission to energize a sustainable future,” he said.
Ramos said this initiative aligns with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly in supporting quality education and affordable, clean energy goals.
SNAP-Magat owns and operates the Magat hydroelectric power plant which has a nameplate capacity of 360 megawatts (MW) and a maximum capacity of 388 MW on the border of Isabela and Ifugao, and the 8.5-MW Maris hydro in Isabela.
The non-power components such as dams, reservoirs and spillways are owned, managed and operated by the government.
SNAP-Magat is a joint venture between Scatec, a leading renewable energy solutions provider accelerating access to reliable and affordable clean energy in emerging markets, and Aboitiz Power (AP) Corp. AP is the holding company of the Philippines-based Aboitiz Group’s investments in power generation, distribution and retail electricity services.