| Date Posted: 2010-01-27 11:13:10 |
| from BusinessWorld The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has renewed the permit to operate of Cagayan Electric Power and Light Co. (Cepalco) for its commercial solar plant. Cepalco has a one-megawatt-peak photovoltaic power plant in Brgy. Indahag, Cagayan de Oro City, using 6,500 solar panels. “An evaluation revealed that the power plant continued to be compliant with the financial, technical, and environmental requirements stated in the ERC’s guidelines,” the energy regulator said. Cepalco is the only utility in the country with a commercial solar-powered plant. Cepalco’s first permit, which was good for five years, was granted in 2004. The solar plant is described as a “fuel-less” power generating plant that does not generate noise, unlike conventional fossil fuel plants, as there are no moving parts. There are no large storage batteries to store energy since power generated by the plant is fed directly to the distribution system. Cepalco also operates the seven-megawatt Bubunawan hydropower plant. With a total capacity of 26,850 kilowatts, Cepalco provides 1.55% of the Mindanao grid’s power requirements |