THE Public School System, in partnership with Micronesia Renewable Energy, will install solar energy systems at all CNMI public school campuses.
“It has been a long time coming and we are excited to begin our journey towards green energy technology — a cleaner choice of energy,” acting Education Commissioner Eric M. Magofna told Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez.
The acting commissioner is inviting lawmakers to the launching ceremony that starts at 9 a.m. on Oct. 7, 2021 at Marianas High School’s Building J.
Magofna said PSS is the first school system in the region to utilize green-energy technology, “decreasing its carbon footprint forever.”
He said, “absolutely zero capital investment” is required from PSS or the CNMI government for the solar equipment or installation of the solar energy systems.
Micronesia Renewable Energy, he added, is responsible for the maintenance of the solar energy systems, as well as for any repairs and replacements should any of the solar energy systems be damaged during a typhoon.
These systems are 100% fully insured and at the expense of Micronesia Renewable Energy, he said.
PSS estimates more than $1 million in energy savings per year, he said.
Moreover, these solar energy systems will be used as educational tools for PSS students, Magofna said.
PSS high school students, for their part, will have an opportunity to enter an apprenticeship program to learn electrical and solar energy trade, Magofna added.
He said 4.1 megawatts of electricity utilizing more than 12,500 solar panels will be installed throughout the school system. “This is equivalent to planting trees on 25,000 acres [of land], removing 16,200 cars off the road, and not driving 205 million miles,” he added.
For the CNMI economy, he said, there will be an increase in private sector jobs.
“Micronesia Renewable Energy is committed to only hiring a workforce that calls the CNMI home. This skilled workforce will not only be responsible for constructing each solar energy system, but will also be tasked to maintain these systems for the duration of the agreement,” Magofna said.
