Gregorio M. Corruz. Jr, better known to everyone in WeGen as “Sir Greg”, is easily one of the most approachable people at the office. WeGen’s lead and senior engineer (engineering and implementation), he is WeGen’s go-to technical expert. Among his main tasks are overseeing site assessments for projects and the material preparations for solar PV systems, ensuring the schedule of delivery of components, and selecting contractors for projects.
“I also help manage teams and contractors for the implementation of our projects and monitor them, as well as conduct testing and commissioning to ensure that when the systems are switched on, they have already passed reliability tests. It’s important to do all these steps before installations are turned over to clients,” he explained.
A stickler for details and always supportive of activities that will promote solar PV technology, especially for the use of marginalized and off-grid communities, Sir Greg can also be relied on for research and development tasks to determine new solar-powered products and their uses.
Sir Greg can be said to be one of the country’s pioneers when it comes to solar PV installations and the advocacy that comes with their use in communities. He was one of the Filipinos who became part of the PV Technicians Philippine-German Special Energy Program of the GIZ in the early 1990s. The GIZ or the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit has been a partner of the Philippines in the development of renewable energy for more than 35 years. Up to now, the supports thePhilippine government in enhancing the framework conditions for sustainable energy supply in the country.
“It was a very exciting time because solar PV technology was new and most Filipinos still did not know the slightest thing about it. Unlike now when solar PV systems are more accessible and affordable, back then it was expensive and people looked at it with a skeptical eye – they could not believe that solar is reliable,” he said.
As part of the pioneering program, Sir Greg learned first-hand about solar PV system components, how to test them, and make sure that they are fit for installation for rural electrification efforts. It was also then that he first realized the value of solar energy for off-grid communities – places that have never had electricity much less enjoyed its benefits.
“I’ve been to communities that took days to reach, and when we got there, it would be pitch dark and you wouldn’t see it if someone waved a hand in front of your face,” he said.
Sir Greg said that despite the many difficulties that come with installing in off-grid areas (long travel time, difficult terrains to navigate, being away from his family for days or even weeks at a time per project), he said that there was a lot of satisfaction to be had from the work. Sir Greg is happily married to his wife Maritess, and together they have two children, Mari Grace and Martin Gregg.
“There’s nothing like knowing that the system you helped install will help people in far away communities improve their quality of life or their livelihood options because they gained access to clean, renewable, and free electricity. All the exhaustion just melts away and you join in their sudden happiness and relief at having electricity in their homes at last,” he said.
Sir Greg’s work has taken him to Maconacun and Dinapigue in Isabela, and to the remote areas of Calanasan Ifugao, and Tineg, Abra. Before WeGen, Sir Greg worked as a technical consultant for other companies and RE institutions, sharing his insight regarding different solar PV projects as well as designing systems. He also provided technical training for different employees and heads who are in management, sales, and technical work.
Teamwork is Crucial
As with other infrastructure building activities, installing solar PV systems – whether rooftop or ground-mounted – takes collective effort. Solar PV installers have to coordinate closely while doing installation work, especially when the system is being mounted from a height and when the weather is particularly hot.
“Teamwork is very important when doing installation work. All the team members should be able to work harmoniously and with a kind of synchronicity when attaching the mounting frames, the panels, and the wiring. It is both easy and hard work because while installing the modules themselves etcetera is straightforward, it’s also hard because there’s lifting involved and care is needed when the modules are being mounted. Installers should be in sync with one another, and everyone should be conscious of their safety as well as the safety of others in the team,” Sir Greg explained.
As WeGen’s head engineer, occupational health and safety concerns, as well as teamwork and positive interactions, are important issues to Sir Greg; he makes sure to emphasize these during team briefings.
As for other requirements for those into solar PV installation work, Sir Greg said that quick thinking to address sudden technical problems that may arise is also important.
“This is particularly important in the case of off-grid installation projects. One has to be able to make quick and correct decisions to solve sudden issues like problematic wire connections,” he said.
Teaching Communities
To ensure off-grid installations will last, Sir Greg always underscores the importance of social investigation.
“By this, we mean going to the community where the project will be implemented – getting to know the residents’ way of life, the economic activities they conduct, their capacity to understand the technology. When we do not teach communities how the systems we install for them work and how these should be maintained to make sure that they last a long time and their benefits are maximized, there’s a chance that the project will not succeed as much as we want it to. Ownership is crucial in off-grid installations: communities will have to own the system by understanding how it works and what should be done to keep it working a long time,” he said.
WeGen is very fortunate to have Sir Greg who is not only an expert but whose heart is also for spreading the good word about renewable energy like solar and teaching others about its importance.
“It’s fulfilling, meaningful, and interesting work, and we hope that we can bring solar to more communities and bring light to more homes of Filipinos,” he said. #