Business Mirror
Published on Thursday, 31 January 2013 20:31 Written by Henry Empeño / Correspondent
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—Banda Solar Corp., a pioneering alternative energy company based in this free-port zone, is now gearing up to provide local customers with cost-efficient and environment-friendly solar-power systems after securing a certification from the Department of Energy (DOE).
Bob Silvers, president of Banda Solar, said his company has been allowed by the DOE to avail itself of incentives such as zero-percent value-added tax rate, tax- and duty-free importation of components and parts and materials, as well as income tax holidays, after a stringent evaluation and site validation by the DOE.
The accreditation is valid for three years.
Silvers added that the DOE certification would allow the manufacture of affordable solar-energy products in the country, since the bulk of these products used in the Philippines are being imported from China, Germany and the United States.
This would also help the firm promote its products better and in the process make alternative energy systems more accessible and affordable to the public, he said.
“[The DOE] incentives will be passed on to our customers to encourage them to use solar-powered products, thus helping in the improvement of renewable energy industry as well as achieving additional advantageous effects to the environment,” Silvers added.
Banda Solar, a Subic-registered company that began as Bandacorp PI Inc. in 2006, is now producing export-quality energy and lighting systems and distributing solar panels and light-emitting diode lamps (LED) that could cut down power costs by more than 50 percent.
To promote the environment-friendly system, it also provides free consultation on solar power, as well as briefing on energy-saving devices ranging from air-conditioning system to solar street lights, solar water heater, and even home and industrial solar-lighting solutions.
As the first small-business enterprise dealing on alternative energy projects to receive such a DOE accreditation, Banda Solar is also looking at promoting the use of renewable energy in the Subic Bay Freeport by working with Subic Enerzone, the local power distributor, and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority in the Tipo Expressway lighting project.
The company is also promoting alternative energy awareness among residents of local communities by installing a one-kilowatt power station in Iram, an upland village populated mostly by Ayta tribesmen.
Silvers said solar power is picking up locally, as evidenced by strong demand for solar power or LED lamp systems among Subic companies like the Ocean Adventure marine theme park, gastight plastic storage manufacturer GrainPro, packaging manufacturer Pactec, global testing and certification firm SGS and ink solution provider Printing Images CtC Inc.
Banda Solar has also installed solar power systems to clients in Pampanga, Batangas, Ilocos Sur and Zambales. source
In Photo: Bob Silvers, president of the Banda Solar Corp., proudly shows his company’s accreditation certificate from the Department of Energy. (Henry Empeño)
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