Communities in far-flung areas from Canlaon City to Mabinay will soon see light at nightfall after the Department of Energy has chosen the Negros Oriental Electric Cooperative 1 as one of the pilot electric cooperatives nationwide to receive the Solar Homes System Unit.{{more}}
Noreco 1 General Manager Juveleo Acabal in an interview with PIA said that the cooperative is expected to receive 300 units of the system, valued at P35,000 each totalling to P10.5 million.
Acabal said the units will be installed for free in far-flung unenergized areas covered by Noreco 1 that have a cluster of households, acting like an alternative renewable energy. “Owners of these houses will not have to pay anything for the unit. They will however have a flat rate of around P200 each month,” he said.
The system will generate up to four hours of power use in the evening for 50 to 75 watts of electric bulbs and will charge power during daytime.
Acabal said the cooperative is still identifying which areas under Noreco 1 will benefit from the system.
The solar project is expected to launch in Noreco 1 areas between April to May this year.
All barangays from Canlaon City down to Mabinay covered by Noreco 1 have been energized. The cooperative is now focusing on bringing electricity to its sitios of which only 60 percent has been energized.