The Paranas Municipal Hall in Samar has transitioned to solar power with the installation of a 48-kilowatt-peak (kWp) Smart Hybrid Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System. The system was officially handed over during a Turnover Ceremony and Signing of Deed of Donation at the municipal hall grounds on March 26. This initiative was completed in partnership with the Philippine-based non-governmental organization (NGO), Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC).
This development marks a milestone for Samar Province, as the Paranas Municipal Executive Building is the first municipal hall in the province to be solar-powered. The 48-kWp system has the potential to generate enough electricity to power 30 to 35 rural Filipino households, each consuming an average of 200 kWh per month. Additionally, the shift to solar energy is projected to yield PHP 15 million in electricity savings over the next six years.
“By institutionalizing the partnership between and among the private and public sectors with the help of our development partners, we are confident that the government will be able to meet its target of achieving 35 percent of our share in the power generation mix by 2030 and 50% by 2040,” said Department of Energy Assistant Secretary Mylene C. Capongcol in a video message.
Paranas has been a leader in locally-driven energy transition initiatives since 2019, incorporating solar energy into various public buildings such as the Municipal Evacuation Center, the Municipal Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), multiple public schools, and the Barangay Tutubigan Health Center. The solar PV installation at the municipal hall marks the second collaboration between the municipality and ICSC, following the solarization of its Rural Health Unit last year.
“This journey of ours to renewable energy has been a dream to the Paranasnon. We always have to suffer when responding to emergencies, and it’s difficult when we have an unreliable power supply,” said Paranas Mayor Eunice Babalcon.
Looking ahead, the local government of Paranas remains committed to furthering its Just Energy Transition Agenda. Plans include the development of a municipal renewable energy ordinance and participation in voluntary renewable energy programs by the Department of Energy, such as Enhanced Net Metering and the Green Energy Option Program (GEOP). The local government is also seeking to enhance renewable energy education and training through partnerships with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), academia, and the private sector.
“Paranas will once again serve as an inspiration to many municipalities and cities in Eastern Visayas and across the Philippines—a model that values cleaner and more sustainable energy sources for the future of their community,” said Angelo Kairos dela Cruz, Executive Director of ICSC.
The collaboration between ICSC and the Paranas local government for this hybrid solar PV project was solidified through a Memorandum of Agreement signed in October 2024. ICSC has also implemented a similar project in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, where a 60-kWp on-grid hybrid solar PV system was turned over on February 27, 2025.
What are your thoughts on Paranas’ transition to renewable energy? Join the discussion and share your perspectives on how municipalities can further integrate sustainable energy solutions.
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