The University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) is expanding its use of renewable energy with a major solar panel installation project that will generate 1,600 megawatt hours of clean energy and lead to P17 million in savings annually.

The project will power 11 academic and administrative buildings, spanning 10,000 square meters, with clean energy.

“We are on track to become the nation’s biggest and independent campus power producer of renewable energy,” said UPM Chancellor Michael Tee in a press release.

Tee said the new solar project was inspired by the Energy Efficiency Excellence award the UPM received from the Department of Energy and its broader goal to lessen its campus’ carbon footprint.

The project aligns with UPM’s commitment to environmental sustainability. The university aims to reduce its carbon footprint by 1,000 tons annually, which is equivalent to planting 177,000 trees on campus.

UPM’s venture into solar energy began in November 2022 with a pilot project at the Henry Sy Sr. Medical Sciences Building, according to a report by GMA News Online. The initial installation covered 554 square meters and resulted in annual electricity savings of ₱650,000.

The university’s expansion into large-scale solar power production highlights a growing trend in the Philippines towards adopting renewable energy sources to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and combat climate change.