The Aliaga Elementary School in this town has significantly reduced its electricity bill following a switch to solar energy.

Teacher Marissa Tulagan said in an interview on Friday that they used to pay an average of PHP22,000 monthly prior to the installation of solar panels.

“Malaki ang binabayaran namin dahil almost lahat ng classroom may four to five na electric fan at television (We are paying high electric bill since almost all the classrooms have four to five electric fans and a television),” she said.

The solar-powered school has a total of 19 classrooms and a covered court, which also requires lighting, and 16 closed circuit television cameras.

Tulagan said with the installation of 22 solar panels in 2024, the school’s electric bill is down to PHP2,000 to PHP7,000 monthly.

She said the school held fundraising activities and raised PHP505,000 for the solar panels.

“It was a huge help to the school so we are very grateful to the parents, students and other stakeholders who participated in the fundraising activities,” she said.

Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the agency is looking into installing solar panels on the roofs of public schools by 2027. (PNA)