THE Cebu Provincial Government may soon impose another “environment-friendly” cost-cutting measure following the implementation of the no air conditioning policy.
Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, said a Japanese firm recently came to her office to present its proposal on the usage of solar panels.
A solar panel, or photo-voltaic module, is an assembly of photo-voltaic cells that use sunlight as a source of energy and generate direct current electricity.
“He (Japanese proponent) is really interested in putting panels in the legislative (building) because of its architecture and design, but I said no. We would wish for both Capitol (executive and legislative) buildings and the CSBT (Cebu South Bus Terminal) to have solar panels. He will be returning for further study,” Garcia said in a mix of English and Cebuano.
The governor found that there were solar panels installed at the bus depot two years ago, but they were no longer working.
The previous administration had allocated P4.1 million for the project.
In 2018, the Provincial Government paid an average of P450,000 a month for the electricity consumption of the terminal.
The CSBT has a monthly average consumption of 120 kilowatts.
Aside from the Japanese firm, another private company also submitted a proposal on the installation of solar lamps.
A solar lamp is a lighting system that operates on electricity from batteries, charged through the use of solar photovoltaic panels.
“We are really interested. We are really hoping that there will be more companies with your reports. They would also come and indicate their interest,” Garcia said.
But while the governor wants all Capitol offices to use solar power, she said there may be limitations to tapping renewable energy.
She is mulling over the possibility of a 60-40 scheme, wherein the Capitol will use both electricity carried by a utility company and power generated from solar panels.
Garcia is hopeful that with the implementation of the no air conditioning policy as well as the usage of solar panels, the Provincial Government will be able to cut down on utility expenses.
The executive department alone spends over P1 million in electricity bills per month.
“Once we shall have decided which company would offer the best proposal... Not only in terms of price, but it has to be the quality and the price. We all know that the cheapest offer may not necessarily be the best,” Garcia said in a mix of English and Cebuano. / ANV, RTF