Advancing Energy in Remote Areas: A Closer Look at SunSHARE’s Work

Last October 28–29, 2025, a team from the Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Program (STEP) of the Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO) conducted a site visit to Team SunSHARE at the University of the Cordilleras (UC) to assess their progress and provide guidance on the ongoing deployment of their renewable energy platform. The visit was led by AIPO Director, Dr Jon Fernandez, and Head of Commercialization and Business Incubation Group (CBIG), Engr Benjamin Mirasol,  The visit was part of the STEP’s continuous efforts to support innovators in refining both their technology and business model. The team was warmly welcomed by Team SunSHARE and members of the University of the Cordilleras Innovation and Technology Transfer Office (UC ITTO), including Dr Thelma Palaoag, Director; Engr Michael James Deus; Ms Vanessa Kate Aniceto; and Mr Leandro Rey Gepila.

SunSHARE is a blockchain-based renewable energy marketplace platform designed to empower communities through solar energy. Targeting households, small businesses, and schools—particularly in remote and underserved areas seeking affordable and sustainable energy—SunSHARE’s microgrid-based system provides a clear technical advantage. Unlike traditional long-distance transmission lines where energy output decreases over distance, its microgrid setup maintains full energy output at the source, ensuring greater efficiency and sustainability for localized applications.

Photo: SunSHARE STEP Slide, Team Composition

A key discussion during the visit centered on developing a sustainable business model that ensures both community impact and long-term viability. The team explored potential collaborations with local government units (LGUs) and industry partners. This partnership model aims to lower capital expenditures while maximizing benefits for the communities.

SunSHARE Tech is currently deployed at the University Building and within the Pinesville Subdivision in Fort del Pilar, Baguio City, where it actively generates renewable energy. These deployment sites serve as important testing grounds that allow the team to collect data, monitor performance, and validate the technology’s efficiency and practical use in real-world settings. Through these pilot implementations, SunSHARE continues to refine its system and demonstrate the reliability of its microgrid-based model in providing clean and consistent power to communities.

Photo: SunSHARE Tech deployed at university building and Pinesville subdivision

Areas such as Ansagan in Tuba, Benguet, which currently have no access to electricity, represent ideal sites for SunSHARE’s implementation. This locality not only reflects the core beneficiaries of renewable energy solutions but also highlights the broader social outcomes—improved livelihood opportunities, access to education, and strengthened community resilience.

Photo: Team SunSHARE with the STEP team during the visit at the University of the Cordilleras

The visit concluded with key insights for scaling SunSHARE’s model, highlighting opportunities to collaborate with LGUs, cooperatives, and microgrid operators, and to expand into markets such as residential subdivisions, SMEs, and universities. Moving forward, SunSHARE aims to refine its approach to better address the needs of underserved communities—providing reliable energy access that supports education, livelihood, and overall community development.

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STEP is powered by DOST-PCIEERD as part of their Short-term Program for Researchers on Innovation and Technopreneurship (SPRINT) program, to cultivate spin-off companies from research projects previously funded by DOST-PCIEERD. 

To know more about the STEP program and Ateneo Intellectual Property Office, visit: www.aipo.ateneo.edu/sprint-step and www.aipo.ateneo.edu or follow them on social media for the latest updates and announcements via www.fb.com/AteneoIPO or www.linkedin.com/company/AteneoIPO.