The local government of Paranas, Samar, will save PHP15 million in electricity costs by using solar power to energize its municipal hall, the second government office to be powered with renewable energy in the province.

Non-government organization Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) said that is the net lifetime savings after the switch-on of the 48-kWp (kilowatt peak) smart hybrid solar PV (photovoltaic) system.

A PV system is composed of one or more solar panels combined with an inverter and other electrical and mechanical hardware that use energy from the sun to generate electricity.

The 48-kWp smart hybrid solar PV system refers to the maximum power output of a solar panel system under ideal conditions. This is enough to power around 30 to 35 rural households with an average electricity consumption of 200 kilowatts per hour per month.

“Paranas will once again serve as an inspiration to many municipalities and cities in Eastern Visayas and across the Philippines – a model that values cleaner and more sustainable energy sources for the future of their community,” Angelo Kairos dela Cruz, executive director of ICSC, said in a statement Friday.

The ICSC turned over the project and signed a deed of donation on March 26 after months of installation.

Paranas town has been prioritized for locally-led energy transition efforts since 2019, when it adopted solarized rooftops in its public buildings, including the evacuation center, materials recovery facility, several public schools, and a barangay health center.

The hybrid solar PV installation in the municipal hall is the second solar project of the municipality done in partnership with ICSC, following the solarization of its rural health unit last year.

The partnership between ICSC and the local government of Paranas for this hybrid solar PV installation project was made official through a memorandum of agreement signed in October last year. (PNA)