A 1,200 WATT peak solar water pumping system was launched Feb. 22 at the demonstration farm located east of the CAFSD Building.

With this renewable energy system, the college will save big on electricity for water pumping in the area and for irrigation of crops in the demonstration farm.

The solar pumping system is only one of six installation and upscaling/upgrading projects of the Department of Energy’s Affiliated Renewable Energy Center (AREC) based at MMSU. The project was made possible with funds from DOE’s Gender Mainstreaming and Sensitivity Holistic Advocacy for Renewable Energy Development Program in Northern Luzon in line with the government’s as well as MMSU’s program of shifting from using conventional to renewable or green energy.

Solar energy does not emit harmful substance that would pollute the air. The newly launched system does not need fossil fuel to operate the 1.5 horse power submersible pump attached to the 10-unit solar panels to pump water into the big concrete storage tank.

The conversion process from sunlight to electrical energy starts when rays of sunlight hit the solar panels and are absorbed by semi-conducting materials such as silicone. The electrons are knocked loose from their atoms which allow them to flow through the material to produce electricity.

According to Ms. Irma P. Acebedo, AREC senior research specialist, the solar water pumping system is cheap as the energy from the sun is free and requires low (or even free) maintenance. The solar panels can last for 20-25 years and once installed, there would be no recurring costs and moving parts.

Acebedo said the installation of the system at CAFSD is an effective tactic to promote the commercialization of the technology as students and other people can readily see and assess for themselves its potential and feasibility.

During the launching program, MMSU President Miriam E. Pascua challenged concerned university officials to cascade this in the university’s R&D and income-generating projects as MMSU need to look for alternative sources of energy and not just depend solely on fossil fuels.

Dr. Carmelo J. Esteban, AREC project manager, thanked President Pascua for her support to the project. He likewise expressed gratitude to DOE for their confidence and trust in letting MMSU AREC handle the project which will serve as a research-based pilot program. He said they will disseminate the right information about the technology to farmers for them to be able to appreciate and eventually adopt it.

Dr. Artemio B. Alcoy, CAFSD dean, thanked AREC for choosing the college as one of its beneficiaries. He vowed to use and sustain the project as well as safeguard it for the benefit of the students and constituents of the college.