SM City Iloilo installed solar panels in its rooftop as part the its continuing commitment to use clean and renewable energy.
The region’s top shopping and lifestyle destination launched its solar panels on September 5, with the ceremonial switch-on led by Iloilo City vice mayor Jose Espinosa III, Director Rosario Cabrera of Office of Civil Defense 6 and SM Regional Operations Manager Ma. Majella P. Liboon.
Councilor RLeone Geroche, chairman of Committee on Environment, Mr. Rabbie Chris Carvajal, Chief of DENR-EMB 6 Environmental Eductation and Communication Section, Engr. Robert Escuto, Senior Environmental Mgt. Specialist and Chief of Pollution Control of CENRO Iloilo City, Mr. Darrel John Defensor, Asst. Mall Manager of SM City Iloilo, and Mr. Nerio Lujan, Chief of Provincial Information and Community Affairs Office were also present during the ceremony.
SM City Iloilo has a total of 2,904 solar panels at 285 watts each, producing 827 kilowatts which is capable of sustaining 10% of the mall’s energy consumption.
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“This is another milestone that aims to contribute in the demand for energy efficiency and sustainability,” Liboon said in a speech during the event.
With the completion of solar panel projects in SM City Iloilo and two other malls in Cauayan and Cabanatuan, SM Supermalls aims to lead private sectors in clean energy use in the country. Five more solar powered malls is slated to join the green initiatives in the coming months – SM City Trece Martires, SM Seaside City Cebu, SM City Dasmarinas, SM City Olongapo, and the upcoming SM City Tuguegarao Downtown.
“SM Prime has always been committed to reduce greenhouse emissions and maximize energy efficiency in our malls. This is just one of the many renewable projects we have been doing and we will continue with finding ways on how to make our operations more environmentally sound and sustainable,” said SM’s Hans T. Sy in a statement.
Solar Philippines, the largest developer of solar rooftop power plants in Southeast Asia, is SM’s partner in promoting eco-friendly shopping destination in the country.
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In 2014, SM launched its first solar rooftop project in the country at SM City North Edsa, the first mall in the Philippines to become solar powered. SM Mall of Asia followed two years later with the inauguration of a solar power facility with twice the capacity of the former’s rooftop installation.
“This latest milestone on green energy projects reaffirms SM Prime’s commitment to its role as a catalyst for economic growth, delivering innovative and sustainable lifestyle cities that enrich the quality of life of millions,” Liboon added.
SM City Iloilo also won 2 awards last year for its energy efficiency and conservation initiatives, as partner of the Iloilo City government and an active participant in USAID’s capacity building workshops on energy efficiency and greenhouse gas inventory.
