Solar-powered weather stations boost WeatherPhilippines’ forecasting reliability
Fifty automated weather stations of private weather information provider WeatherPhilippines Foundation, Inc. now boast of better performance and reliability after being converted to run under solar power.
The AWS’ conversion, which was completed last year, ensures the accuracy and reliability of localized weather information delivered to the public in locations prone to drastic weather conditions or frequented by power outages.
In 2016, WeatherPhilippines partnered with WxBunka Foundation of Japan to create a weather-preparedness culture that is deeply embedded in the Filipino consciousness. The partnership includes a donation of JPY 2.5M (PhP1.7M) for the AWS’ conversions.
“With advancing business and communities in mind, we are always looking for ways to improve our services to the Filipino community through the provision of relevant and up-to-date weather information,” said WeatherPhilippines General Manager Dave Valeriano.
The engagement established between WeatherPhilippines and WxBunka Foundation also paved the way for the involvement of Weathernews Inc. (WNI) in the #WeatherWiser campaign. Recently, WNI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Aboitiz-led social enterprise Weather Solutions, Inc. (Weather Solutions).
Under the MOU, potential areas of collaboration include education through meteorologists’ training, new tools such as real-time camera feed for installed AWS, and consumer services. As the first weather-centric social enterprise in the country, Weather Solutions offers available historical and real-time weather data, forecasting, and consultancy to organizations across various industries.
