Firm pioneers wide-scale solar energy use in Clark

The rooftop of the manufacturing plant of Viskase Asia Pacific Corp. in Clark Freeport in Pampanga is fitted with solar panels as the company goes green. The project is said to be the first of industrial scale in Clark. (Photo from Clark Development Corp.)

CLARK FREEPORT — A 94-year old global company manufacturing casings for meat products has started operating on solar energy, the first in industrial scale here, according to the state-run Clark Development Corp.

Viskase Asia Pacific Corp. switched on its solar power project on March 14. The panels are installed on the company’s rooftop.

The project intends to make the operations environmentally-sound, according to Josh Go, Viskase plant operations manager.

“Aside from the financials, beyond that is our responsibility in terms of preserving the environment. This project will totally change the architecture of our operations and we are happy and proud to be the first,” Go said.

Viskase is taking the lead in using renewable energy, CDC president Noel Manankil said at the launch.

Go said the solar panels remove 12.3 million pounds of carbon footprint a year. They generate 829,580 kWh solar production per annum with a module efficiency of 16.72 percent.

The CDC has also installed 816 solar panels on three its corporate office buildings as a compliance with the Philippine Green Building Code.