• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson announced yesterday that the provincial government of Negros Occidental will undertake the solarization of seven of its main buildings, starting this year.
Speaking yesterday at the Provincial Stakeholders’ Consultative Power Summit at Santuario De La Salle of the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City, Lacson said the installation of 1,270 kilowatts total installed capacity of solar PV (photovoltaic) systems will save the provincial government an estimated 132,080 KWh to 158,000 KWh per month.
At P12 per KWh, Lacson said it translates to a cost savings of P1.5M to P1.8 million every month.
He identified the Provincial Capitol, CyberCentre, Negros Residences, First Terminal Market of Negros Occidental, and surrounding government buildings as the ones where solar power will be installed.
“We will not buy the system but somebody will install it. We will just pay it on a monthly basis,” Lacson said.
If we buy the system, it would cost the government P70 to P75 million, he said, “so we thought we can use the money for something else,” he added.
Lacson also encouraged local government units in the province to follow the examples set by La Carlota City and Sipalay City governments, which have also installed PV systems.*
