Harnessing the power of the sun the Negros Occidental provincial government has slashed ₱5,611,442.22 from its electricity bills following the installation of rooftop solar panels on three of its key buildings.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson announced the energy savings Tuesday, Nov. 30, on the sidelines of the Solar Technology Roadshow held at the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City.
The provincial government expects its energy cost reductions to rise further once an additional 950 solar panels become fully operational before the end of the month at the Negros First CyberCentre in Bacolod City, which will generate up to 2,350 kWh in saving on a full sunny day.
A breakdown of the cost reductions showed that solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at the Provincial Capitol generated ₱2.6 million in savings from September 2025 to September 2026.
The system installed at the Food Terminal Market on Negros Occidental saved ₱1.2 million, while the Negros Residences trimmed ₱1.6 million from its electric bills over a nine-month period.
Following the success of the initial sites, solar panel installations are scheduled for provincial government hospitals in Kabankalan City and Himamaylan City.
The rooftop installations were completed at no cost to the provincial government under an agreement with clean energy provider WeGen Energy Philippines Inc.
Under the arrangement, the province pays WeGen for solar-generated electricity at a rate of ₱6.80 per kWh—less than half the current power rate of over ₱14 per kWh charged by local distribution utility Negros Power, Daniel “Bob” del Rosario Jr., sales and service partner at WeGen, said.
Del Rosario said while the national government targets a minimum 20 percent renewable energy adoption rate for local government units, Negros Occidental has already achieved 40 to 50 percent solar power coverage across its facilities.
With local power rates continuing to rise, Lacson urged private homeowners to consider adopting rooftop solar technology.
“If you are having difficulties in meeting your electric bills, you may want to consider putting solar panels on your rooftop. You can come and visit here at the Capitol Building and see what the company can offer you,” Lacson said.
The roadshow will be he held until Wednesday.*
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