The National Renewable Energy Board of DOE raised the feed-in-tariff (FIT) scheme for solar power installation from  50 megawatts (MW) to 500 MW.

 

The FIT offers incentives for renewable energy industry players by offering cost-based compensation. the FIT rates approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission are as follows: P9.68 per kilowatt-hour for solar; P8.53 per kWh for wind, P6.63 per kWh for biomas and P5.90 per kWh for hydropower projects.

 

The Energy department has been pushing for a robust and diverse power supply mix including renewable energy sources to help ensure the country's power needs.

 

 

The DOE will be launching a solar rooftop program this July, with the Manuel L. Quezon University in Manila as pilot site.  If successful, more schools are expected to join the "solar rooftop project" not only in Metro Manila, but also in provinces.

 

The solar panels will be installed and maintained by third party suppliers at no cost to the participating school or universities.  The schools would pay the private supplier for the electricity generated by the solar rooftops at about P9.50 per kilowatt-hour, or P2 cheaper than the Manila Electric Company rate of P11.50 per kWh.

 

DOE Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla said once all schools in Metro Manila are included under the program, they are projected to produce some 270 MW capacity.  He added that households will also be included in the program.

 

 

San Carlos Solar Enery Inc. (SACASOL), a joint venture between Bronzeoak Philippines Inc., and the Thomas Lloyd Group, launched two solar energy projects in Vizayas.  The first solar-power plant is located in Negros Occidental with 22MW capacity.  Sacasol is expected to supply 35-millon kilowatt hour or energy to the Vizayas grid.  As a renewable energy project, the power plant is expected to displace the equivalent of 14,805 tons of carbon emissions annually.

 

The second project launched is the 18-MW solar power plant in La Carlota which is expected to be finished by December this year.  Investment cost for the project is worth P1.8 billion.  it will provide 72,000 solar panels, making it one of the largest solar famrs in the country today.

 

 

SM Prime Holdings Inc. is building the largest commercial solar rooftop in the Philippines and the largest solar-powered mall in the world.  SM Prime President Hans T. Sy said a 1.5-megawatt (1,500 kilowatt) solar rooftop will be used to power up a significant portion of the mall's energy requirements.  This will be built by Solar Philippines and will be operational by October at the SM City North Edsa.