Solar Philippines Breakground $150 Million USD Solar Farm in Tarlac

At the ceremonial groundbreaking of the 150-MW Tarlac solar farm, with the first ‘Made in the Philippines’ panels by Solar Philippines are (from left): Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Solar Philippines president Leandro Leviste, Tarlac Governor Susan Yap and Concepcion Mayor Andy Lacson Photo: PhilSTAR

Solar pioneer starts 150-MW Tarlac solar farm

Solar Philippines has kicked off the construction of its 150-megawatt (MW) solar farm with battery storage here, its largest solar power project to-date, which can provide the province’s requirements in six months time, its top official said yesterday.

The whole solar farm will start operating as a merchant plant in the third quarter of the year, Solar Philippines president Leandro Leviste said during the ceremonial groundbreaking of the project.

“The output of the 150 MW plant that will be operating here by the second half of 2017 will be able to power the entire Tarlac province with cheap renewable energy,” he said.

The company official said this will heed Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi’s call to put up more merchant power plants – or those generating facilities selling their output to the wholesale electricity spot market (WESM) – to further spur competition in the electricity spot market.

“What we want is to make this fast…(because) solar is now cheaper than coal and therefore get this online within 2017. And that’s why even without the contract finally approved by regulators, we’re doing this for most of the plant’s capacity,” Leviste said.

The Concepcion solar farm will comprise close to 450,000 solar panels and over 150 hectares, with room to expand as demand for solar with batteries increases.

Leviste said the cost to put up the solar farm is equivalent to $1 million per megawatt, or roughly $150 million for the entire project.

“With the battery… it can be an additional 20-50 percent of the cost of the project. But we’re not doing all the batteries all at once, it’s going to be phased incrementally,” he said.

Solar Philippines is the developer, investor, contractor and supplier for its projects – a strategy which the company believes is the key to making solar cost-competitive.

“Why do we expect lower price? One is vertical integration, by doing solar panel manufacturing in-house as well as the construction. the development, the financing will definitely lower the cost. Second is the economies of scale,” Leviste said.

Once completed, the power plant will have many firsts in its name - philSTAR

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Philippines' PPP Built 3rd Solar Wafer Slicing Facility in Batangas

The Philippines' solar power industry can expect a boost with the completion of a solar cell manufacturing facility in Batangas,South of Manila Philippines.

The new facility being built by First Philippine Electric Corp. (First Philec) is building the wafer slicing plant with Korean firm Nexolon Corporation.

Once completed, the plant will be capable of producing 400 megawatts worth of solar wafers per year.

“This is solid proof that government and industry collaboration can work successfully, and that continued investments through Public Private Partnerships (PPP’s) can spur the growth of innovation especially in science and technology," Angara said in a statement.

Angara chairs the Congressional Commission on Science Technology and Engineering (COMSTE), where First Philec is a partner.

Still, Angara said that the government can further encourage local and foreign manufacturers to invest in renewable energy "by creating a hospitable environment through policy, infrastructure and incentive support."

First Philec is a partner of COMSTE in developing renewable energy systems, such as the country’s first solar testing facility located in the First Philippine Industrial Park in Tanuan, Batangas.

The testing facility with a 180 kilowatt on-grid capacity would be capable of testing photovoltaic modules in-house for efficiency and resilience in field conditions, unlike conventional tests done inside controlled laboratory environments.

Also, the facility would be able to test solar panels for optimal output in tropical conditions.

On the other hand, Angara noted that SunPower, one of the world's largest solar manufacturers, already has two solar wafer fabrication plants in the country even if the country's solar industry is still in its infancy.

Ernesto Santiago, president of the Semiconductor Electronics Industry in the Philippines, Inc. (SEIPI), another COMSTE industry partner, said the manufacture of electronic components for solar energy production has the potential to generate $28 billion in exports.

“The potential of the renewable energy industry to create new jobs and business is immense. It can also help reduce our dependence – and expenses – on expensive fuel imports. Renewable energy is a win-win proposition for the Philippines

 

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