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Japanese businessman donates wind, solar panel
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Posted on Oct 20 2011
By Haidee V. Eugenio
Reporter
Reporter
Acting governor Eloy S. Inos led yesterday afternoon’s ribbon cutting for a hybrid solar panel and wind turbine that will help cut utility cost and protect the environment, thanks to the donation of Japanese businessman Takeshi Yamada.
The windmill and solar panel, installed on Monday, has since been powering an energy efficient lamp that illuminates the Office of the Governor’s parking lot on Capital Hill at night.
Joining Inos at the ribbon cutting were Yamada and Shigeyoshi Kato, special advisor to the governor and lieutenant governor, along with House Speaker Eli Cabrera (R-Saipan), other lawmakers and other government personnel.
Inos said Yamada’s donation was made possible by Kato, who has been friends with both Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and Inos for years.
In an interview, Inos said the renewable energy project was provided and installed free of charge to the CNMI government and with no strings attached.
David Wu, chief executive officer of Taiwan-based Digimax Innovative products Ltd., said that heat from the sun and energy from wind alone could power up the lamp post. Digimax was the one that supplied and installed the pole, paid for by Yamada.
Kato and Yamada said as friends of the CNMI, they would like to help as much as they can, including making renewable energy available to the islands. They said such system costs $14,000 to $15,000.
Two similar renewable energy posts, donated by other businessmen, were also installed at the parking lot of the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.
