A subsidiary-company of Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has partnered with Gawad Kalinga to institutionalize the creation of ‘sustainable communities’ that will mainly lean on the utilization of clean energy solutions.

Spectrum, Meralco’s corporate vehicle for all-inclusive clean technology solutions, will initially target to provide solar photovoltaic (PV) panels in Gawad Kalinga communities in San Pedro and Santa Rosa in Laguna province.

That joint undertaking of Spectrum and Gawad Kalinga, according to Meralco, will be benefitting more than 150 low-income households.

“The pilot project will involve the installation of 670-watt peak (Wp) solar panels for the organization’s constituents,” Spectrum noted, adding that once this is concretized, it will yield at least 30-percent savings on the residents’ electricity bills.

The deployment of solar PVs for residential communities had been among the sustainable energy solutions being promoted, not just for the provision of electricity access but because the technology will bear positive impacts on the environment.

As emphasized by Spectrum President and CEO Ferdinand O. Geluz, “the partnership allows Spectrum to extend the benefits of a safe, reliable and clean electricity service to more Filipinos, and power the good life for all.”

He explained that “by switching to solar panels, the Gawad Kalinga beneficiaries are already able to save money while helping save the planet at the same time.”

The Meralco subsidiary-firm specified that it will be deploying engineers and subject-matter experts “to conduct technical trainings to select residents in Gawad Kalinga, such that they can perform installation, operation and maintenance of solar PV systems.”

That mode of solutions-provision to the Gawad Kalinga communities, according to the power utility company, will also serve as “additional source of livelihood for the residents.”

In such installations, it was indicated that One Meralco Foundation, the social development arm of Meralco, has also been helping Spectrum in project mobilizations.

Beyond the pilot undertakings in Laguna, Spectrum stated that it is targeting “to expand this project to benefit more Filipinos as it works with Gawad Kalinga to identify other communities for this initiative.”

Spectrum will not just be catering to the energy solutions need of residential end-users, but it will also be providing especially-fitted clean tech solutions to commercial establishments as well as industries.