Lawmaker pushes solar energy for NMI needs
A possible partnership with a Texas-based solar company won’t cost the CNMI a single penny, that’s why local officials are looking into bringing the program to the Commonwealth.
Solar Host San Antonio provides homeowners or businesses with equipment to become a private solar host with free installation and maintenance. The solar power collected would then go to utility company CPS Energy with the homeowner or business establishment earning credits from their billing.
Rep. Francisco Dela Cruz (R-Saipan) joined Gov. Ralph DLG Torres in the San Antonio trip last month where they checked the solar power-generating facility and learned more about the program.
“This is a program where a private company would set up solar panels on the rooftop of residential and commercial establishments. In return the energy generated by the panels will go directly to the utilities power grid,” Dela Cruz said.
He said the program is a perfect fit for the CNMI since it would not take up a huge area of land, which the islands lack instead, solar panels will be installed on the rooftop of houses and other establishments.
“The creative thing about the project is that most houses in the CNMI have concrete rooftops and we’re blessed with [sunlight] the whole year-round. So, this is a program that we could explore and maybe someday see in the CNMI,” said Dela Cruz.
“It is very feasible in the CNMI since the government and even the residents would not be spending a single penny. It will be the private company that will be funding the project, but this would still go to a bidding process because there are procurement regulations that have to meet certain standards.”
Solar as an alternative source of energy would lessen the CNMI’s dependency on diesel-fueled generators.
Dela Cruz said it would be up to CUC to look into the program. “CUC could do a study on the viability of the program in the CNMI. They could look into its benefits, one of which is creating jobs since the company would need people to install the panels.”
“We’re talking about alternative energy. What better way to lessen the carbon footprint than to no longer be dependent on diesel generating power sources?”
Torres said he and Dela Cruz’s meeting with the representatives of the San Antonio solar industry were fruitful. “I discussed with them my support for renewable energy technologies for the CNMI. After the various meetings, I am encouraged with the information shared with me on the implementation of a solar host program, which was successful in helping that city to increase energy production and lower costs to its residents.”
“It remains a goal to find viable solutions to increase the affordability of utilities for our residents and to do so with an energy mixture that maximizes the efficiency for our islands,” added Torres.
If they are telling you it won’t cost the CNMI a single penny then you should
Walk away. And why do you need to work with a company from Texas when there are solar energy companies on Saipan and Guam?
Does everybody come to the CNMI to try and screw us? Look what’s happening with CUC. Those outsiders tried to sell us a reverse osmosis plant, then worked on the MV Luta fiasco and now a sole-sourced engine.
Do we have that big of a reputation for being stupid or corrupt? It’s insulting to the good people in the CNMI.
“A possible partnership with a Texas-based solar company won’t cost the CNMI a single penny, that’s why local officials are looking into bringing the program to the Commonwealth.”
This may not cost the NMI ” a single penny” but it will cost the consumer plenty IF it would be feasible at all.
This is what you get when you have unknowable people looking into an area they know nothing about.
Did anyone even check with CUC engineers (if there is anyone knowledgeable employed?
Since this has “free installation” to the home owners, at what cost is this to the consumers? $20K? (depending on the size)
How will this affect the CUC grid? There was a moratorium on such solar panels in the past by CUC due to the destabilization of the grid.
As usual, all ignorant people, getting involved and then posting how well this will be..