A Batangas-based 600-megawatt solar panel factory is set to begin operations and will generate around 1000 jobs, a Philippine-owned company said.
The solar project, located in Santo Tomas, Batangas, is a factory of Solar Philippines that will use high-end German equipment and high-efficiency Taiwanese cells.
Philippines can save P50 billion to P100 billion annually once demonstrated that solar with batteries can give off reliable power source 24/7, Solar Philippines president Leandro Leviste said.
“Vertical integration is the key to making solar cost-competitive, as in other countries, where solar is already cheaper than coal and especially natural gas,” he added.
The completion of the initial 600 MW solar factory would support the company’s project for 2017, especially 50 MW in Batangas and Cavite, which may supply the Manila Electric Co. through a supply agreement, and 150 MW in Tarlac, the first battery – equipped solar farm to supply power rates lower than fossil fuel.
Solar Philippines will be the first local company to manufacture solar panels in the country, 23-year-old Leviste said.
“This is the key step towards lowering solar costs, enabling us to produce electricity cheaper than coal. Instead of importing expensive fuel from other countries, we will manufacture here in the Philippines. Soon enough, our country can become the Saudi Arabia of solar, a leading energy exporter, and Made in the Philippines panels will be used around the world,” Leviste said.