TAGUIG CITY, Metro Manila—Western Philippines University (WPU), during a meeting held on July 11, 2025 at the PNOC Corporate Center, expressed strong interest in pursuing a cooperation with PNOC to install solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on its campus buildings in Aborlan, Palawan.

A team from WPU, led by the University President Dr. Amabel S. Liao, visited PNOC to learn more about the Rooftop Solar for Government Buildings (RGB) Project and how the state university can benefit from clean and affordable energy.

PNOC President and CEO Oliver B. Butalid, together with representatives from its Energy Investments Group, welcomed the WPU team and presented the RGB project’s technical and financial framework. Key features of the RGB Project include zero capital expenditure for partner institutions, payment based solely on actual solar energy consumption, a discounted electricity rate, and a 15-year contract term to ensure capital recovery and long-term returns.

WPU shared that it had initially planned to implement a 320-kilowatt peak (kWp) solar power project through public bidding. However, after learning about PNOC’s RGB project from Department of Energy Undersecretary Alessandro O. Sales, the university expressed its intent to explore a partnership with PNOC, recognizing that the model better aligns with its sustainability goals.

The meeting also opened discussions on other potential cooperations beyond rooftop solar. WPU offered portions of its agricultural land for the development of a ground-mounted solar facility. PCEO Butalid also raised the prospect of introducing agrivoltaic systems (i.e., solar panels installed alongside agricultural production) as well as aquavoltaic installations (i.e. solar panels installed over abandoned fishponds or water bodies) within the university’s property. He also suggested exploring the cultivation of Pongamia pinnata, a tree species with promising biofuel potential, as part of WPU’s renewable energy initiatives.

Both parties expressed optimism on collaborating on a rooftop solar project, with plans to revisit potential agrivoltaic and aquavoltaic applications in 2026. As a possible next step, PNOC is planning to conduct a site inspection at the Aborlan campus, tentatively scheduled for August 2025.

Should the collaboration move forward, WPU will be the first state university to participate in PNOC’s RGB Project.