SM celebrated another milestone on Monday, November 25, 2014, by launching the first batch of solar panels at SM North EDSA. Photo by Therese Sta. Maria, InterAksyon.com

SM City North EDSA launched the country’s largest solar rooftop power plant on Nov. 24, Monday. The Green Switch SM Solar Rooftop Launch, hosted by Kim Atienza, took place in SM North’s Northlink Building roof deck where government officials such as President Noynoy Aquino, Senator Loren Legarda, House Speaker Sonny Belmonte and Q.C. Mayor Herbert Bautista were in attendance. The president of Solar Philippines, Leandro Leviste, was also there to welcome the honored guests in celebrating the mall’s contribution to a healthier and safer environment.

This initiative to use renewable energy resource, such as solar energy, has been previously adapted by SM City Xiamen in main land China. Solar Philippines hopes to locally promote cleaner air, save electricity, and prevent climate change through partnering with SM Prime Holdings, Inc. by establishing more solar panels that has started with SM North EDSA, and will hopefully progress to other SM Malls.
 
A total of 5,760 solar panels installed on the roof deck of the car park building of SM City North EDSA. Photo by Therese Sta. Maria, InterAksyon.com.

President of SM Supermalls, Annie Garcia, informed all that they are already aiming to initiate this same project to a number of SM branches. “After SM City North EDSA’s green switch today, we shall begin installing solar panels in SM City Cavite and SM City Dasamariñas in Cavite. SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City shall follow next with 10,534 solar panels to be installed,“ said Garcia.

“With the future generation in mind, we shall continue to seek ways and solutions to climate change. We shall continue to collaborate with the best,” added the president of SM Supermalls.

Currently, the 5,760 solar panels in SM North EDSA have the capability of powering 16,000 lighting fixtures, 59 escalators and 20 elevators while counteracting 1,200 tons of carbon emissions (CO2) per year. These panels are also expected to generate 1.5 megawatts of solar energy, which is equivalent to covering five percent of the mall’s consumption per day, therefore saving an estimated two million pesos a month.

Leviste, founder of Solar Philippines, also shared his thoughts about the joyous milestone of this project. He expressed how SM’s involvement in solar energy could inspire more businesses to get into the use of renewable energy to save the environment. “The one thing I want to underscore in this message is that SM’s support for solar energy is important far beyond this project in itself. Today marks a watershed moment for solar in the Philippines, because where SM goes, the rest of Philippines will follow. SM is a spark that ignites the future of a massive shift towards solar energy,” said Leviste.

With the country facing a potential energy shortage in 2015, harnessing the sun’s power will grant long-term benefits for the Philippines, both environmentally and economically. It is SM’s hope that their new way of conserving electricity and saving the environment will also inspire other establishments to follow suit.

President Benigno Aquino III praised SM for showing awareness to environmental problems and creating an example in social responsibility by having their malls establish solar panels instead of consuming electricity. Photo by Therese Sta. Maria, InterAksyon.com.

In his speech, President Aquino underscored the importance of utilizing renewable energy for a greener future, “Whether initiated by the government or by businesses like SM and Solar Philippines, these kinds of projects drive home the point that renewable energy can be a competitive choice of power. The use of renewable energy sources represents a long-term investment. It plays to our country’s strengths, provides insulation from fluctuations in the international oil market and thus allows us to be more self-sufficient, generates savings in terms of electricity costs, and also contributes to the preservation of the environment and mitigates the effects of climate change.”