TOP PHOTO:Solar Powered Computer Lab—Shown is the solar power system equipped computer lab of the Modesto Ferrer Elementary school in Sual, Pangasinan, during recent turnover ceremonies. In photo are (left to right): Kent Sabido, Sual assistant municipal engineer; Miriam Navato, former Head Teacher; Daniel Dela Cruz, Sual municipal administrator; Froilan Gregory Romualdez III, TeaM Energy head of External Affairs; and Roger Untalan Public School district supervisor for Sual.
The computer labs in all 20 public elementary and high schools in the municipality of Sual in Pangasinan are now powered by solar energy, after the installation of on-grid solar energy systems was completed through a program funded by TeaM Energy and TeaM Energy Foundation Inc. (TEFI), in partnership with the Sual local government and the Department of Education (DepEd).
“All 22 computer labs in the 20 public schools in Sual are equipped with solar power systems capable of powering the computer systems of these schools. This should result in significant savings in their electric bills,” said Ma. Teresa C. Lopez, Vice President, TEFI. “We would like to thank Sual Mayor Liseldo “Dong” Calugay for helping us make this project possible,” she added.
TeaM Energy made possible the installation of 22 units of 4.6 kilowatts peak (kWp) grid-tied photovoltaic systems in each of Sual’s public schools. Each unit is capable of energizing 8 computer units, reducing dependence on electricity from the grid.
The schools can also use the generated electricity to light up the facilities and power small equipment such as printers, photocopiers, in case the computer lab is not being used. This results in instant savings for the schools as the computer labs are currently being used in the production of learning modules.
Sual, a first-class municipality which hosts TeaM Energy’s 1,200 MW Sual Power Station has a total of 20 public schools, with 17 of them elementary schools, 2 integrated schools, and 1 high school. The two integrated schools were each provided with 2 solar power systems for their 2 computer labs, while all the remaining schools received one solar power system for their respective computer labs.
“TeaM Energy is committed to working with our stakeholders in implementing high-impact CSR programs to further bring sustainable development to our host communities,” Lopez stressed.
TeaM Energy operates two coal-fired power plants: the 1,200 MW Sual Power Station in Pangasinan and the 735 MW Pagbilao Power Station in Quezon Province. It also has a 50% stake in the 420 MW Pagbilao Unit 3 Power Project in Quezon, and a 20% stake in the Ilijan natural gas project in Batangas.
