st
1 and the Largest
Cepalco has developed the
very 1st and the largest in the world, 1 MWP
Photovoltaic Power Plant (at the time that it
was inauguration in 2004). A solar panel is
made out of polycrystalline silicon; it is
based photovoltaic plant and connected to
the energy distribution of Cagayan Electric
Power & Light Co., Inc. (CEPALCO) that is
based in Cagayan de Oro City. The power
plant has started its commercial operations
on September 26, 2004, the photovoltaic
plant has given CEPALCO a total of 4, 169,
100 kWh or an average of 1, 389, 700
yearly, which is 10% more expected of the
expected annual energy generation of 1, 261,
400 kWh. On its current tally of its
generating capacity, the photovoltaic plant
can generate 900 CEPALCO residential
customers.
The CEPALCO photovoltaic power
plant is closed costs to 5.2 million US
dollars it is equivalent to 233.2 million
pesos. The plant is currently using 6, 500
solar panels that occupies 2 hectares of land,
it was partly funded by the Global
Environment Facility (GEF) which was
facilitated by the World Bank through the
help of the International Finance
Corporation. The GEF fund was a loan that
is a grant after five successful years of
operation of the Photovoltaic Plant by
CEPALCO. They were awarded as a
turnkey by the Sumitomo Corporation of
Japan. Sharp of Japan was the one who
manufactured the photovoltaic modules or
the solar panels while Sansha manufactured
the inverters. The balance of system
components were procured locally.
The Photovoltaic Plant is designed to
be operated so that if the 7MW run-of-the-
river hydro plant which is also owned by
CEPALCO, supplementary company,
Bubunawan Power Company. Being one of
a kind, the photovoltaic plant has already
been visited by more than 10, 000 students
and visitors, locally and even from foreign
countries that are energy enthusiasts since
the plant has started operating.
And because of the good feedback of
the photovoltaic plant, CEPALCO is now
planning to embark to an even bigger solar
power park within its service territory. The
future solar power plant is said to be located
in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental. It is a 30-
hectare lot within the First Cagayan de Oro
Business Park. The place is some 30 minute
east of Cagayan de Oro City.
Pre-probability study of the projected
Photovoltaic plant states that if it will be
implemented it can already supply the
CEPALCO energy distribution company
with not less than 14, 000, 000 kWh of
electricity yearly, that is equal to not less
than 30, 000 barrels of fuel oil annually.