Citicore Renewable Energy Corporation (CREC) has launched a new sustainability initiative that repurposes retired solar equipment into community infrastructure, as renewable energy developers face growing questions around the long-term management of solar assets.

Dubbed EcoLoop, the program transforms end-of-life materials from CREC’s construction and operations into functional facilities for host communities. The initiative was piloted during Brigada Eskwela 2026, with 20 decommissioned solar panels converted into 14 tables for Pasong Bangkal Elementary School in San Ildefonso, Bulacan.

The project was implemented in partnership with KamayManos PH, an art and design collective known for developing upcycling solutions using hard-to-recycle materials.

CREC said EcoLoop builds on its earlier EcoShed program, which repurposed retired solar panels and surplus construction materials into community infrastructure such as waiting sheds, covered walkways, and community outposts. The company said 13 structures have been completed under the initiative.

“EcoLoop expands the foundations of our sustainability initiatives by really thinking beyond the box. As we continue to scale renewable energy, we also discover what more we can do with our waste materials, addressing community needs in tune with Citicore’s core values of Environmental Stewardship and Innovation,” CREC President and CEO Oliver Tan said.

CREC said EcoLoop is intended to support circular economy principles by extending the useful life of retired materials while providing practical benefits to local communities.

For the pilot project, KamayManos developed customized designs for the school furniture using 100% upcycled materials sourced from the decommissioned panels.

“Working with Citicore is a first for us, and it challenged us to work with materials which we have not worked with before,” said Gio Orbos, founder of KamayManos.

“Every process is tailormade specific to the product we’re trying to reuse. But that means we have an opportunity to make bespoke solutions specific to the needs of the community in ways that mass production cannot address,” he added.

According to CREC, the tables will be used by students at Pasong Bangkal Elementary School in time for the upcoming school year.

“Our host communities are at the heart of everything we do. Through initiatives like EcoLoop, we aim to create solutions that not only address environmental goals but also enhance everyday life – particularly in spaces that shape future generations, such as schools,” Tan said.

The company said it plans to expand EcoLoop across its project sites nationwide as part of its community development programs anchored on education, empowerment, and environmental stewardship.

What do you think about solar panel upcycling initiatives like EcoLoop? Can circular economy programs help address the renewable energy sector’s future waste management challenges? Join the discussion.

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