Office of Grants Management & State Clearinghouse Administrator Epiphanio Cabrera Jr., fifth from right; Rota Mayor Aubry Hocog, fifth from left; and other officials of OGM-SC and the Rota Mayor’s Office pose with Oregon-based energy auditor Darren C. Morgan, center, at the Rota Mayor’s Office on Monday.
Contributed photo
THE Office of Grants Management & State Clearinghouse brought a certified energy auditor to Rota on Monday to assess the power usage of 32 homes, in preparation for the installation of photovoltaic systems, OGM-SC Administrator Epiphanio E. Cabrera Jr. said.
Cabrera first shared the news on Saturday during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of Saipan Green Energy Construction Company in Garapan.
Darren C. Morgan of Everblue (JCN Partners Inc.), traveled from Portland, Oregon, to the CNMI to conduct residential energy audit assessments from July 14 to July 29, 2025. The installation of new photovoltaic or PV units — each paired with a battery storage system — is scheduled to take place between August and October 2025.
Accompanied by Cabrera and other OGM-SC officials, Morgan is assessing energy consumption, appliance usage, and lighting systems in each of the 32 homes. These audits are a required step prior to the installation of PV systems funded through two federal programs: the Office of Insular Affairs’ Energizing Insular Communities Program and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Revolving Loan Program.
According to Cabrera, certification of the energy audits is required for the release of federal funding to the participating households. The data collected will guide the final design and installation of the PV systems.
During the audits, Morgan will determine the most efficient and effective approach to installing solar systems. This process, he said, is essential to ensure each system is properly sized and designed — enabling residents to reduce their power bills and transition to clean, renewable energy.
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios expressed strong support for the effort, stating, “The people of Rota will be part of this renewable energy pilot project. This is the start of something new for residential energy relief and sustainability. With the rising cost of living — especially on our more remote islands — we must take every step to lower household expenses. This initiative directly helps Rota families by reducing their utility costs while advancing our long-term renewable energy goals.”
Rota Mayor Aubry M. Hocog also welcomed the development, saying, “This initiative reflects our continued commitment to energy independence and environmental sustainability.” She added that installing PV systems in homes “will bring real savings to our people and make life more affordable for families on Rota.” She thanked the governor, OGM-SC, and the CNMI’s federal partners for prioritizing Rota in such important work.
Cabrera echoed the governor and the mayor’s sentiments. “This is a critical step in our mission to bring affordable, clean energy to the people of Rota,” he said. “By conducting thorough energy audits, we are making sure every solar photovoltaic system is tailored to each household’s needs and optimized for long-term savings and performance. This is about delivering direct benefits to Rota families.”
He said the residents selected to participate in the initiative were contacted directly to schedule the assessments at their respective homes.
For more information about the energy audits or the upcoming solar PV installations, contact the Office of Grants Management at (670) 664-9995 or the Office of the Mayor of Rota at (670) 532-9452.
