DOLE Region 12 powers up with solar panels vs. 3-hour brownouts

Published May 6, 2014 5:51am

The Department of Labor and Employment in Koronadal City, Mindanao has been using a 300-watt solar power system to light up 20 nine-watt lamps of its offices since last April 28, so they do not have to work in the dark during brownouts that last up to three hours.

MindaNews reported on Monday that DOLE Region 12 director Ofelia Domingo is so pleased with the benefits gained from their use of the environment-friendly technology that she has decided to upgrade the solar energy system so office equipment could be powered up and used.

“We’re planning to expand the system later this year to around 2,000 watts so we can use more office equipment during brownouts,” Domingo said.

“We’re hoping that this initiative will be replicated in other regional offices and encourage some local companies to give it a try and eventually adopt it,” she added.

The MindaNews report said the power system has several solar panels and a mini generator connected to the regional office compound’s main line. — Joel Locsin/ELR, GMA News

Tags: solarpower, solarenergy, solarpanels, dole, koronadalcity