Paranas has become the first municipal hall in Samar to shift to renewable energy, installing a 48-kilowatt (kW) solar power system. This bold move toward cleaner energy is projected to cut electricity costs by as much as ₱15 million over time.
Through a partnership with the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), the Paranas municipal hall’s switch to solar power is an early win in the province’s push for RE.
Department of Energy (DOE) Assistant Secretary Mylene Capongcol expressed optimism that multi-sector collaboration will effectively boost RE in the country’s energy mix. “We are confident that the government will be able to meet its target of achieving a 35-percent share in the power generation mix by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040,” she said.
(Also read: Northern Samar Rises as Green Energy Hub)
Solar installation milestone
Eighty-eight solar panels have been installed on the roof of the Paranas municipal hall, forming a system that can generate enough power to match the monthly consumption of around 30 to 35 rural households, each using an average of 200 kilowatt-hours (kWh).
ICSC Executive Director Angelo Kairos dela Cruz said Paranas is setting an example for other towns and cities in Eastern Visayas and beyond—” a model that values cleaner and more sustainable energy sources for the future of their community.”
Mayor Eunice Babalcon highlighted the dual impact of the solar initiative—cutting electricity costs for the local government while supporting environmental protection. “We’re just doing our part in helping communities and the environment,” she stated.
Babalcon further shared that the local government supported the project by building an elevated structure to hold the solar panels. She also noted that ornamental plants were added beneath the installation, blending function with a touch of greenery.
(Also read: Bohol Proves Its Power in Clean Energy Leadership)
Advancing renewables
The Paranas LGU and the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) formalized their collaboration in October 2024 through a Memorandum of Agreement for the hybrid solar PV project. The partnership covers the installation and maintenance of the system, allowing the municipality to generate its power and sell any excess.
Since 2019, Paranas has steadily expanded its use of solar energy, transforming public facilities into renewable-powered spaces. Located 97 kilometers from Tacloban City, the town has equipped schools, a health center, and key government buildings with solar rooftops.
Babalcon disclosed that all buildings under the municipal government are now ready for solar installation, reflecting the town’s long-standing commitment to clean, dependable energy for the community. She urged residents and local businesses to explore solar energy as a practical alternative for meeting their electricity needs.
According to Babalcon, the solar network remains operational even during storms or cloudy days thanks to its built-in battery, which stores excess energy. This feature ensures a continuous power supply during outages, unlike systems without storage that can’t function when the grid is down.
Building on the momentum of its solar initiatives, Paranas is set to deepen its commitment to a fair and inclusive energy transition. The local government plans to formalize this shift by crafting policies that embed RE into its development agenda.
Part of this effort includes drafting a local ordinance focused on clean energy and welcoming voluntary renewable projects endorsed by the DOE. To support long-term impact, the town also seeks to expand education and training programs in partnership with schools, universities, and private groups.
The municipal hall’s hybrid solar PV system marks the second joint project between Paranas and ICSC, coming after the successful solar upgrade of the town’s rural health unit the previous year.
Sources:
https://pia.gov.ph/paranas-municipal-hall-first-to-go-solar-in-samar-province
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2050944/samar-towns-main-public-building-now-solar-powered