GOVERNOR Ralph DLG Torres, Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Board of Education members, acting Education Commissioner Eric M. Magofna and other officials launched the Public School System’s solar energy system on Thursday.
The ceremony, which was held in the Marianas High School cafeteria, marked the start of PSS’s “journey toward a cleaner [energy] alternative,” Magofna said, adding that PSS is the first school system in the region to utilize large-scale green energy technology, “so we are very happy for that.”
The solar energy system will be installed by Micronesia Renewable Energy Inc. or MRE under a power-purchase agreement.
There is no cost for PSS for the initial installation of the solar panels and other equipment.
Magofna said PSS will only start making payments to MRE once the system starts producing power and schools start using the power produced by the solar panels.
It is going to be like PSS’s monthly utility bills but with significant savings for the school system, he added.
PSS finance and budget director Arlene Lizama said that PSS spends about $2 million on power annually while still hooked to the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation power grid.
She said once the solar energy system “kicks in,” the estimated savings will amount to $1 million [a year].
In a separate interview, MRE Chief Operating Officer Jeffrey Voacolo said the installation of the school system’s solar energy system “is a multi-million dollar project.”
He added, “We’re extremely lucky that we got financing from a local bank, Bank of Guam. We are very lucky.”
Transformation
PSS’s solar energy system will “transform” all the 20 elementary, middle and high school campuses on Saipan, Tinian and Rota into “renewable energy hubs,” Magofna said.
PSS, he added, issued a request for proposals in January 2020. Of the six companies that responded, MRE’s proposal was chosen by PSS, which entered into a power purchase agreement or PPA with the company in March 2020.
BOE approved the project in July 2020.
“Now, here we are today, alongside Micronesia Renewable Energy, launching our solar energy project by installing our solar energy systems at all of our schools. I am glad that with this PPA with MRE, it is now becoming a reality,” Magofna said on Thursday.
“PSS is the first school system in the region to take on the solar power initiative,” he added.
For his part, BOE Chairman Andrew L. Orsini said, “This is a milestone for both PSS and the CNMI.”
“It is historic for PSS,” he added as he recalled the enactment of Public Law 18-75 six years ago to “prioritize the interconnection with net metering for health and education renewable energy capacity.”
Orsini commended former Sen. Pete P. Reyes who authored the law, Sen. Paul A. Manglona who co-sponsored it and then-Gov. Eloy S. Inos for signing the measure.
Orsini also recognized former BOE Chairwoman Janice A. Tenorio. He said it was under her leadership when the project proposal was brought up and approved by the board last year.
For her part, Tenorio said the board wanted PSS to be a “role model” for the entire CNMI when it comes to green energy.
The governor congratulated PSS and BOE “for this great initiative.”
He added, “This is monumental in the sense that we are showing to the whole world that we can harness solar energy power…for our public schools,” as he also thanked MRE for investing in the CNMI.
Voacolo, who has been in the energy infrastructure business for 45 years now, said the PSS solar energy system “will be showcased not only throughout Micronesia but the world.”
Board of Education member Antonio L. Borja, Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Micronesia Renewable Energy Chief Operations Officer Jeffrey Voacolo, BOE Vice Chairman Herman Atalig, Youth Sen. Easton Joel Dela Cruz, BOE Chairman Andrew L. Orsini, former BOE Chairwoman Janice Marie A. Tenorio and acting Commissioner of Education Eric Magofna held a ceremonial unveiling of the Public School System’s solar energy system in the Marianas High School cafeteria Thursday.
Acting Commissioner of Education Eric Magofna, Board of Education Chairman Andrew L. Orsini, Vice Chairman Herman Atalig and BOE member Antonio Borja pose for a photo with former BOE Chairwoman Janice Marie A. Tenorio, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Speaker Edmund Villagomez, Senate President Jude Hofschneider, Micronesia Renewable Energy Chief Operations Officer Jeffrey Voacolo and other lawmakers and education officials following the unveiling of the solar energy system initiative of the Public School System in the Marianas High School cafeteria on Thursday.
Public school students and education officials led by acting Commissioner of Education Eric Magofna, Board of Education Chairman Andrew L. Orsini, Vice Chairman Herman Atalig and BOE member Antonio Borja pose for a photo with former BOE Chairwoman Janice Marie A. Tenorio, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Micronesia Renewable Energy Chief Operations Officer Jeffrey Voacolo and lawmakers led by Speaker Edmund Villagomez and Senate President Jude Hofschneider after the unveiling of the solar energy system initiative of the Public School System in the Marianas High School cafeteria.
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres with Board of Education Chairman Andrew L. Orsini, Micronesia Renewable Energy Chief Operations Officer Jeffrey Voacolo and his wife Tracy.
From left, acting Commissioner of Education Magofna, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Board of Education member Antonio Borja, former BOE Chairwoman Janice Marie A. Tenorio, BOE Vice Chairman Herman Atalig, BOE Chairman Andrew L. Orsini, Micronesia Renewable Energy Chief Operations Officer Jeffrey Voacolo and his wife Tracy.
Board of Education member Antonio Borja talks with Micronesia Renewable Energy Chief Operations Officer Jeffrey Voacolo.
From left, Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Tracy Voacolo, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Micronesia Renewable Energy Chief Operations Officer Jeffrey Voacolo, Bank of Guam Vice President and Regional Manager Marcie Tomokane, former BOE Chairman and IT&E Customer Service and Government Relations Manager Janice Marie A. Tenorio, U.S. Congressional District Office Director Paula Bermudes-Castro, Bank of Guam’s Larry Philip, and BOE Chairman Andrew L. Orsini.
Acting Commissioner of Education Eric Magofna delivers his remarks.
Board of Education Chairman Andrew Orsini delivers his remarks.
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres lauds the Public School System for its “monumental” renewable energy initiative.
Micronesia Renewable Energy Chief Operations Officer Jeffrey Voacolo delivers his remarks.
