Police HQ goes green with solar power
Green is in, even in the country’s police force.
The Philippine National Police has linked up with the Department of Energy (DOE) for the installation of solar generation systems to save on its energy consumption.
The PNP hopes to save more than P5 million a year with the new scheme to be implemented in two areas in Camp Crame where the PNP has its headquarters.
PNP officer in charge Deputy Director Gen. Leonardo Espina and Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla yesterday signed a memorandum of agreement, which would entail no financial cost to the police force.
Petilla said, however, the PNP will maintain its connection with the Manila Electric Company (Meralco).
The PNP headquarters in Camp Crame has an average monthly consumption of P12,398,096.72, with the current rate at P8.88 per kWh.
“The Meralco connection will still be there since they will need it if the sun is not out. The idea is they will first consume the energy from the solar generation system and then get the additional need for energy from Meralco,” Petilla said.
A gadget will be installed to ensure that the solar generation system and the Meralco will run automatically as needed, the official said.
The renewable energy facility was donated by the Japan International Corporation System.
The system will be initially installed at the PNP Sports Center and the Center for Law Enforcement Studies.
The DOE said solar power to be generated for the two sites is 600,000 kWh a year, and can be used for 10 years.
Espina said the PNP hopes to save P5,330,309.33 a year, or P444,192.44 a month, with the solar generation system.
“This will benefit us for a very long time as our energy consumption will go down. We will definitely save a lot with this,” the PNP officer in charge said.
He said the solar panels will be installed later in the PNP housing area for policemen in Camp Crame and in different regions, depending on the energy consumption.
Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo Jr., PNP spokesperson, said the solar generation system will be managed by the Directorate for Logistics and the Headquarters Support Service.
