The Solar Energy which will be installed at the MOE building is $600,000 project — a 50-kilowatt grid connected (PPUC System) Solar Power Supply. While the George B. Harris Elementary School basketball court project is worth $150,000, a 60ft by 100ft covered basketball court with fixed backboards/rings complete with standard accessories.
According to the Capital Improvement Projects, the benefit of the solar energy project will be realized on the power bill. The power consumption of the building from the island power supply will be lowered and the unused power produced by the new system will go to the island grid. The solar panels will be installed as a roof cover for the building’s parking spaces.
The basketball court will also be used as volleyball and tennis courts. Water supply for cleaning and maintenance of the court will also be provided.
Target completion for both projects is end of this year.
“We are very glad to see that following the former solar power project which has been installed at the National Belau Hospital, today we are witnessing the groundbreaking of another project which is utilizing the renewable energy source,” ROC Ambassador to Palau Maggie Tien said in her remarks during the ceremony.
She said people should take advantage of all the technologies which can help us protect the environment.
President Johnson Toribiong, on the other hand, said that the installation of the solar energy project is in line with the Micronesian Chief Executive Summit’s commitment to promote GEM or Green Energy Micronesia.
“The installation of the solar panel for this building will be a step in the direction of converting our public buildings from using fossil fuel to renewable energy,” Toribiong said.
He added that the construction of the basketball court at George B. Harris Elementary School is also in line with ROC’s policy to promote human resources development in Palau.
According to Emery Wenty, Director of Education of MOE, they spend about $280,000 a year for electricity bill. “It’s like the cost of the three buses. If that can be reduced by 10 percent, it could free up some very precious funds that we could use for instructional programs.”
Wenty added that the gym for George B. Harris Elementary School should provide a much better and more conducive learning environment for physical education program and major activities for the school.
Toribiong and the MOE thanked the ROC government and Ambassador Tien for the generous assistance.
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