Calatagan, Batangas
16 March 2016

As a strong gesture of support in meeting the Philippines’ commitments under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change formed during the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) held in France last November 2015, President Benigno S. Aquino III inaugurated the Calatagan 63.3-megawatt (MW) Solar Farm in Batangas.

The President led the switch-on ceremony of the largest solar farm to be completed in Luzon that was developed, financed and constructed by Solar Philippines, the country’s number one solar provider and the only all-in-one solar financing and construction company.

The project encompasses more than 200,000 panels on a 160-hectare property that can supply enough electricity for the entire western Batangas and can power over 100,000 households. It is part of the Renewable Energy Law that was implemented under the Aquino administration.

As a result of the government’s renewable energy programs through the Department of Energy (DOE), the country’s installed solar capacity exceeded the 500 MW target set by the DOE, coming from under 2 MW solar capacity installed before President Aquino assumed office in 2010.

According to Leandro Leviste (Founder, President and CEO of Solar Philippines), through the government’s programs, solar energy is now cheaper than diesel and natural gas.

“When the day comes, Mr. President, solar farms will sprout across this country to supply Filipinos with cleaner, cheaper power; decommissioning old, fossil fuel burning plants; and we will remember that it was under your administration when this all began,” said Leviste.

President Aquino first inaugurated the 1.5 MW SM North EDSA Solar Carpark in 2014 that was also developed by Solar Philippines.

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