THE UNIVERSITY of the Philippines Visayas has taken a significant step toward green energy with the installation of a 54kW Grid-Tie Solar Energy System at its Regional Research Center Building.

This project, the largest of its kind at UPV, aims to support the full-time operations of key research facilities, including the Philippine Genome Center Visayas and the Socio-economic Research and Data Analytics Center Satellite Facility.

Funded by a P3 million allocation from the 2023 General Appropriations Act, the system is set to be operational by the end of August 2024.

It features top-tier Bloomberg-rated PV panels, expected to reduce the RRC’s monthly power consumption by 60-70%.

Engr. Vincent John Fuentes highlighted the high quality of the panels, manufactured by Bloomberg Tier 1-ranked companies, ensuring increased solar efficiency. The RRC Building’s elevated location offers optimal conditions for solar energy harvesting.

Asst. Prof. Mary Grace Sedanza, Director of the UPV RRC, emphasized that this initiative “could pave the way for broader integration of renewable energy at UPV, reducing costs and promoting a transition to cleaner energy sources.”

“As UPV continues to materialize its steps towards renewable energy, the completion of this solar PV system at the RRC becomes the prototype in promoting clean energy and innovation. This will put UPV at the forefront of a sustainable and #SDG7AffordableandCleanEnergy across the Western Visayas region, while continuously striving for honor, excellence, and service to the Filipino people,” the school added.