Starbucks branch joins solar power bandwagon

MANILA, Philippines - The Starbucks coffee chain, brought to the Philippines by Rustan Coffee Corp., has joined the solar energy bandwagon by putting a solar installation in one of its branches in Quezon City.

Piloted by Rustan Coffee, the project involves a 20.5-kilowatts peak (kwp) solar installation atop the Starbucks St. Charbel Village branch in Tandang Sora, Quezon City.

The installation has provided Rustan Coffee with direct savings  in  electrical  costs  and  a significant  contribution  to  the  environment, said the solar company Transnational Uyeno Solar Corp. (TUSC), which installed the solar rooftop.

TUSC is a joint venture  between local group  Transnational Diversified Group and Japan’s Uyeno Green Solutions.

The company has several solar projects including a 206.5 kwp solar canopy in a school in Laguna and a 14 kwp  solar charging station for e-tricycles on Boracay.

“We have always been passionate about providing clean power across various institutions, whether it’s a school, factory or a home. There is always  a  way  to  reduce  carbon  footprints,  and  we  at  TUSC  are committed to building a sustainable, clean and green world,” said Jen Tablante, general manager of TUSC.

She said a solar PV system has a cooling effect  on buildings and gives off zero  noise and zero pollutants.

The  company also installed a 100kWp panel  for  Republic  Chemical  Industries’  factory  in Canlubang, a 14kWp solar charging station on Boracay Island and most recently, a 65kWp installation for St Paul University Philippines.