Clean energy reaches off-grid school

Clean energy firm CostPlus, through its Kidlat EV brand, has helped bring electricity and Internet access to a remote public school in Agusan del Norte as part of the government’s program to improve education in some 300 last mile schools.

CostPlus said in a statement Thursday that it has designed and installed a stand-alone solar photovoltaic and energy storage system at Datu Saldong Domino Elementary School in Buenavista in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the National Electrification Administration (NEA).

The off-grid, remote school previously had no reliable electricity or Internet service.

The installed system provides uninterrupted power, eliminates the need for diesel generators, and supports high-speed Internet, which is essential in accessing digital learning tools and online resources.

“Kidlat EV is honored to be part of this transformative initiative,” CostPlus president Anand H. Mahtani said.

“Access to electricity and the internet is no longer a luxury—it’s foundational for modern education. We’re proud to support DepEd’s vision by delivering clean, resilient solar energy that empowers teachers and students,” he added.

Local school personnel and community members were trained in monitoring and maintaining the system to ensure its long-term sustainability.

DepEd Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, who led the initiative, visited the school for the switch on ceremony of the electricity and Internet service on 19 June.

Angara emphasized that the project was more than just providing electricity but empowering the community.

He said access to power helps bring quality education closer to students in remote areas and shows how collaboration can improve learning conditions nationwide.

The landmark project is the first completed solar energization in the region under the Marcos administration’s P1.295-billion Last Mile Schools Electrification Program.

NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda underscored the project’s impact, saying, “By lighting up remote schools like Datu Saldong Domino, we are empowering dreams and enabling brighter futures.”

Students and teachers of the school can now look forward to brighter classrooms and rich lessons.

As of April, there are 1,392 active renewable energy contracts in the country, with a total installed capacity of 7.05 gigawatts (GW). Solar energy accounts for 515 of these contracts, contributing 2.56 GW to the total.