SAINT Scholastica’s Academy-Marikina (SSAM) is now among several private schools in Metro Manila that are harnessing solar energy.
After launching its combined 204-kilowatt-peak (kWp) solar photovoltaic (PV) system during switch-on ceremonies recently, SSAM now has the largest solar PV system in Marikina City. It can generate at least 250,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) and reduce its electricity bill by as much as P19 million every year, based on an average rate of P10 per kWh.
The school followed in the footsteps of its sister school in Manila, Saint Scholastica’s College, which installed its solar rooftop in December 2014.
This is consistent with the “Benedictine tradition of academic excellence, as well as its social responsibility for the environment,” SSAM grade-school principal Sis. Alexis Lamarroza, OSB, said.
“God provides ways and means for people to restore Earth to its former grandeur, and solar technology is one way to achieve such,” Lamarroza said.
“The clean, pure energy from the sun will help reduce air and water pollution, cut global warming emission, diversify our power supply and decrease dependence on coal and other fossil fuels,” she explained.
“With the sun being the most abundant, accessible source of energy, especially in a tropical country like ours, turning on to the sun is a completely viable energy solution.”
The school’s 102-kWp solar rooftops mounted on each of its two buildings were installed by solar solutions provider Green Heat Corp. A total of 680 solar panels spread over 1,320 square meters of rooftop space were installed on top of SSAM’s newly built seven-story Saint Scholastica and four-story Saint Benedictine buildings.
Green Heat also installed the solar rooftops of six other schools, including Manuel L. Quezon University in Manila and Saint Paul College in Parañaque, which both have 96-kWp solar PV system.
The grid-connected installation located on its campus in Marikina Heights produces approximately 40 percent of SSAM’s electricity consumption.
“Our solar rooftops are part of the green measures that we have initiated on our campus through our conservation committee,” SSAM treasurer Sis. Celeste Licas, OSB, said.
“This includes the use of LED in our lighting system and inverter air-conditioners to reduce carbon-dioxide emission and subsequently save on our electricity bill,” she said.
As a form of green energy, a solar PV system is widely recognized to be efficient and effective and requiring little maintenance.
“A place as important as a school deserves the best in energy efficiency,” Green Heat Vice President Edward Antonio said.
Antonio said SSAM’s solar rooftops are also power plants capable of generating electricity.
“Since SSAM is open during the day when offices and classrooms are being used, it makes good sense to have solar [power] to diversify energy sources, which can save it P19 million every year,” he said.
“The savings can be used for school improvements and purchase of more books, among others,” Antonio added.
SSAM’s solar PV system has the equivalent of planting 1,250 trees each year, reducing the school’s carbon footprint by as much as 108.5 metric tons of carbon dioxide. Green Heat has registered SSAM’s solar PV system under the government’s net metering program, allowing the school to sell the surplus electricity it produces during weekends, holidays and school breaks back to the grid.
Antonio said SSAM is “now a good example in the green movement,” even as more schools turn to solar power as energy source.
Green Heat hopes “more schools follow suit as they have the buildings to house solar panels,” consistent with its support to the Department of Energy’s renewable-energy program encouraging schools to use solar PV systems.
The company is currently working on the solar rooftop of Canossa School of Santa Rosa, Laguna.
A local solar-power company, Green Heat Corp. specializes in the design and construction of solar PV power systems. Among its milestone projects are the solar rooftops of Asian Development Bank, Asia Brewery Inc., Manila Electric Co. and Wilcon Depot.
Image credits: Nonoy Lacza