Over the past decade, the Philippines has been experiencing a renewable energy boom. As the country utilizes its nearly limitless sunlight access to power homes and businesses, solar energy has become a leading source of sustainability and innovation.
The numbers don’t lie. In early 2022, solar energy helped the Philippines save about ₱4.4 billion in fossil fuel costs. If projections are to go by, the country’s solar energy market is estimated to install 1,700 MW (megawatt) by the end of 2024, slated to reach 5,229.62 MW in the next five years.
These figures are all thanks to the solar power plants in the Philippines that effectively convert sunshine into usable power.
The Top Solar Power Plants in the Philippines
The Philippines leads the charge in Southeast Asia’s renewable energy race, and solar power plants are at the forefront of this movement. Here are some of the biggest and most impactful players.
1. Cadiz Solar Power Plant (CSPC)
Named the biggest solar power plant in the Philippines and Southeast Asia upon its completion in 2016, Negros Occidental’s CSPC spans 176 hectares and comprises 425,000 solar panels. The plant can produce 132.5 MW of solar energy, generating 188,500MWh of electricity for 167,525 households.
Its impact extends beyond just power; it also serves as a model for future large-scale solar projects.
2. San Carlos Sun Power, Inc. (SacaSun)
Another solar power plant in Negros Occidental is SacaSun, which boasts a capacity of 59 MW. It also holds the following certifications:
- International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2015 (Quality Management System)
- ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management System)
- ISO 45001:2018 (Occupational Health and Safety Management System)
With its capacity, SacaSun aims to prevent over 44,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions over 20 years, equivalent to taking about 10,000 cars off the road.
3. Alaminos Solar PV Park
Since 2021, the Alaminos Solar PV Park in Laguna has significantly contributed to the Philippines’ renewable energy supply. Operated by AC Energy (ACEN), which is Ayala Corp’s power armIt has a capacity of 120 MW and powers approximately 41,000 homes.
Aside from supplying clean energy, the solar power plant provides farmland for growing crops and supporting local farmers. It also includes a plastic recycling facility that upcycles 32,540 kg of plastic waste—used in constructing the plant facilities—into eco-bricks.
Even more impressive is that the Alaminos Solar PV Park features a tree nursery, which aims to produce 120,000 seedlings in three years.
4. Tarlac Solar Power Project (TSPP)
Central Luzon is ideal for solar power plants because it has consistently hot weather year-round, unlike the rest of the Philippines, which is warm only half the time.
TSPP is a 55-hectare solar power plant in the PEZA-registered Central Technopark in Tarlac City. With a capacity of 50 MW, it generates 78,070 MWh annually and powers 31,700 households. It also saves 47,800 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Moreover, TSPP is the largest single PV Power Plant in the Philippines and one of the biggest solar power plants in Southeast Asia.
5. San Carlos Solar Energy, Inc. (SaCaSol)
SacaSol is a standalone ACEN solar plant in the San Carlos Ecozone in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental. It is the Philippines’ first utility-scale solar farm with a capacity of 45 MW, saving 40,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
In addition to serving around 15,000 homes, SacaSol supplies electricity to off-grid schools during the day. It enables students to use computers for their studies and charge their family phones and electric lamps.
SacaSol also holds the following recognitions:
- IMS certifications on ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management System)
- ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management System)
- ISO 45001:2018 (Occupational Health and Safety Management System)
- RCOA reportorial compliance
6. Terra Solar
Poised to become the largest solar farm in the Philippines and the world, Terra Solar will have up to 3,500 MW of solar panels on roughly 3,000-3,500 hectares in Nueva Ecija and Bulacan. Once completed, experts project that the solar power plant will generate over 5 billion kWh annually.
Solar Philippines New Energy Corporation (SPNEC), the owner of the solar power plant, aims for Terra Solar to contribute 5% to the Philippines’ total power supply and meet 12% of demand. It also plans to surpass the size and capacity of other solar plants worldwide, including Bhadla in India and Golmund in China.
Embrace a Bright Future
With the aforementioned list of solar power plants in the Philippines, it’s clear that solar energy is not just a trend but a cornerstone of the country’s sustainable future. Innovative projects like Terra Solar and revolutionary plants like CSPC and SacaSun are a testament to the country’s strong commitment to clean energy.
Are you ready to harness the sun’s power for your home or business? SolarNRG is here to assist you. We can help you take advantage of solar power and reduce your environmental impact in the long run.
Contact us today to learn about our services.
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