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Public market to apply for OIA solar power grant
CUC asked to endorse grant proposal; CUC board gives OK
The Garapan Public Market is looking to the sun for its energy needs.
Pangilinan
Through a representative, CNMI Farmer’s Cooperative Association president Maria “Frica” Pangelinan asked the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. board to endorse a grant proposal to the Office of Insular Affairs for procurement and installment of a photovoltaic system, estimated to produce 25,100-kilowatt hours of power for the market each year.
According to the co-op’s written testimony, the preferred system is a Tier 1 photovoltaic module with a 25-year limited warranty.
The system would generate no less than 80 percent of rated output under standard test conditions, the testimony reads.
Citing research, Pangelinan said these panels have the “most module efficient at 16 percent or greater.”
For their system, the co-op is proposing polycrystalline modules that generate 16.16 percent module efficiency.
Pangelinan noted that the market’s existing roof create limitations for solar module layouts, saying the maximum number of panels that can be installed is 73. She said the exposed beams of the roof create shading and obstructions.
“It is determined that 60 panels of 310 watt modules (1,248 square feet of solar modules) would be most suitable. That equates to a total connected solar wattage of 18.6 kilowatts at standard test conditions,” testimony reads.
This module is estimated to generate an average of 69.75 kWh per day; 2,092.5 kWh per month; and 25,100 kWh per year. Right now, the market’s average power consumption is 5,000 kWh, according to Pangelinan.
Data from daily readings during peak sunlight hours in the last week indicate an average of 118.4 kWh consumption. The estimated module watt is 97.65.
“Therefore, the proposed PV system is to allow the market to offset its consumption with a minimal 21 kWh remaining for net metering—a nominal impact to CUC.”
The co-op asked for a written endorsement before their grant proposal deadline on April 10. CUC board members approved and supported the plan, and urged CUC management to follow through with the written endorsement.
