The net metering devices at Koblerville Elementary School.
ALMOST two years ago, then-Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and education officials launched the Public School System’s solar energy system.
Variety learned on Wednesday that the solar power system of 86 of PSS’ 195 accounts with the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. had not been activated even though they were already equipped with solar panels and net-metering devices.
Variety was told that CUC had not been notified that those systems were ready for inspection — or Micronesia Renewable Energy Inc. had not turned them over to CUC.
MRE Chief Operations Officer Jeffrey Voacolo, for his part, told Variety that the Board of Education has yet to decide on the proposed changes to the power purchase agreement that are necessary due to changes in the baseload requirements of certain schools.
BOE member Andrew Orsini said MRE is trying to renegotiate the contract terms with PSS.
He said PSS’ legal counsels are looking into it and, “hopefully, in due time, they would probably provide BOE proper advisement and disposition of the matter.”
Variety was told that 55 accounts of PSS with solar power systems have been completed and are now CUC’s net-metering customers. But 54 PSS accounts are still pending because their proper meters have not been installed.
During the project’s launch two years ago, PSS officials said the solar energy systems would “transform” all of the 20 elementary, middle and high school campuses on Saipan, Tinian and Rota into “renewable energy hubs.”
In January 2020, PSS issued a request for proposals for a solar energy system. Of the six companies that responded, MRE’s proposal was chosen by PSS. In March 2020, they entered into a power purchase agreement.
