A public school in Dagupan City has begun using solar energy to power key buildings, a move school officials say will help reduce electricity costs and keep classrooms comfortable even during power outages.
West Central Elementary School 1 recently installed solar panels on three school buildings undergoing rehabilitation as part of a P14-million fund allocation from the Department of Education (DepEd) Central Office.
School officials said the project comes as schools prepare for possible power interruptions during the rainy season, when outages are more common.
Principal IV Dr. Renato Santillan said the solar panels were integrated into the rehabilitation project to address rising electricity expenses.
“Ang request na ito ay for repairs sa tatlong building. Inilagay ang solar kasi isa sa pinagkakagastusan yung kuryente eh, napakamahal ng kuryente,” Santillan said.
Nearly 100 solar panels were installed across the three buildings. Under a hybrid setup, the system now supplies electricity to the facilities alongside conventional power sources.
Teachers said the project would help ensure a more conducive learning environment for students, particularly during outages.
“Kung brownout, mainit. Sa mga bata walang problema kasi meron kaming kuryente. Importante na yung bata nag-i-enjoy sa pag-aaral at maganda yung environment,” Grade 2 adviser Racquel Cabreros said.
School officials expect the solar power system to significantly reduce the school's monthly electricity bill, which currently ranges from P60,000 to P80,000.
“Ang nasasakupan nito ay ang three buildings, especially yung each rooms ay gumagamit ng 4 electric fans na katumbas ng isang aircon so malaking tipid ito,” Santillan said.
According to the DepEd regional office, several schools across Region I have received funding for solar panel installations ahead of School Year 2026-2027. The initiative aims to provide students with a more comfortable and conducive learning environment while helping schools manage operational costs through renewable energy.
