In a region where frequent power interruptions and high electricity costs are common, Jaime “Jim” Avila III, a mechanical engineer saw an opportunity to bring reliable and sustainable energy to communities.
A graduate of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cebu, Jim started his career working for various engineering companies in Manila, Davao, and Surigao del Sur. His last employment was with a beverage company where he worked in sales. After leaving the company, he became a distributor, covering multiple municipalities in Agusan del Sur. This became his first entry into entrepreneurship.
“While we were distributors, I came up with the idea because the problem here in Agusan is power interruption. Electricity is expensive. I thought, why not try solar,”he says.
At the time in 2014, solar energy was still relatively unknown in the Philippines. There were existing systems, but they were expensive and difficult to sustain financially. Despite the challenges, he persisted. He first installed a solar power system in his warehouse to address the power outages. It worked. Soon, relatives including his parents and his wife’s siblings started asking for him to install their own systems. Eventually, even his former clients took interest as well.
This marked the beginnings of JMJ Solar. As demand grew, he registered the enterprise with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). He eventually decided to end their distribution operations, especially after the pandemic, and shifted focus entirely to solar energy solutions.
JMJ Solar, which Engineer Jim now runs as proprietor, provides and installs solar power systems. The team includes one engineering staff member, along with solar technicians, a driver, and project-based workers.
Their systems support any structure that needs power, whether as an alternative or a main source. “What’s good about solar power systems is that it’s not just an alternative, but it can be the main source of energy,” he said. “Instead of one hundred percent of the power coming from an electric company, we can supply one hundred percent through solar. Then their existing source becomes the back-up.”
JMJ Solar serves households, commercial establishments such as resorts, offices, and schools. They also supply water systems for farming communities and solar-powered streetlights. Their design approach is based on results from previous installations, ensuring quality and dependability. “We make sure our installations are sustainable for many years, not just something that will work for a few years then have problems,” he said. “That’s the brand we are pushing, that our product, while more expensive than usual, is high quality and sustainable as a solution to electricity consumption.”
Each installation is equipped with an online application-based monitoring system. This allows both JMJ Solar and the client to track the system’s performance in real time, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The system generates reports on power production, consumption, and savings. It also helps in identifying potential issues early to prevent major problems.
Engineer Jim estimates that their total installed capacity now produces about one megawatt-hour per day, which translates to a reduction of approximately one kilogram of carbon dioxide per kilowatt-hour. Clients have seen real results. A cooperative in Tandag, Surigao del Sur, reduced its electricity bill from sixty thousand pesos to around twenty thousand pesos. A cake and pastry business cut its bill from forty to fifty thousand pesos down to eleven to twelve thousand pesos. “These are the kinds of results that speak for themselves,” said Engineer Jim. “Clients even post and thank us on Facebook.”
One such client is Winson Yu, owner of William Trading Hardware in Diatagon, a branch of their main store in Lianga, Surigao del Sur . He was encouraged to install solar because of frequent brownouts, which affected his business operations including office work and metal cutting. After their initial meeting and discussion, the system was installed and fully functional in less than a week.
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Winson shared that the biggest advantage of solar is the convenience during power outages. The system automatically transfers power, making the switch seamless. He is satisfied with JMJ Solar’s service and support, saying he could easily contact the team for support.
“I saved ninety-eight percent on my electricity cost,” he says. “From 12,000 pesos, my bill went down to 200 pesos.” The impact was also significant during a one-month power outage, when only his store had electricity. His hybrid solar-power system includes two six-kilowatt inverters and four ten-kilowatt-hour batteries. The system charges during the day and powers the building at night. He added, “I decided to invest in solar because I know I will recover the cost in five to seven years.”
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JMJ Solar does not only focus on business-to-business projects. The social enterprise also supports government programs that aim to address social needs in underserved communities. One such project was in Dinagat Island. Through a grant from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), JMJ Solar was contracted to provide a solar power system for a cooperative. The goal was to power equipment that supported their other technologies, including a potable water supply system. After the devastation brought by Typhoon Odette, farmers and fisherfolk members faced serious challenges in accessing clean water. The main issue was the lack of electricity to run the water system. DOST looked for a sustainable solution, and JMJ Solar was selected to implement the solar-powered system.
By delivering clean and reliable energy, the project helped restore access to safe drinking water, directly improving the health and daily lives of the community.
Access to financing from FSSI enabled JMJ Solar to take on new projects, even while awaiting payments from clients.
“Some transactions take time to be paid. But with the Foundation for a Sustainable Society Incorporated, we received a credit line, allowing us to draw funds per project,” he said.
JMJ Solar’s second credit line from FSSI further strengthened their partnership, helping them expand their reach to residential clients. This, in turn, allowed them to serve more households and improve overall operations. “With financing, you can move faster and better prepare your materials and equipment,” he explains. “That’s a huge help for small enterprises like ours.”
JMJ Solar is also preparing for rising energy demand as electric vehicles become more common. The plan includes setting up solar-powered charging stations.
“Fuel costs 10 to 15 thousand pesos a month. Electricity for households is only around 5,000 pesos. If more people shift to electric vehicles, the power demand will go up. So will solar. That is why we are preparing early,”says Engineer Jim.
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Since the partnership began in 2023 the business has grown steadily. Aside from financing, they also receive training and attend seminars through FSSI. “Last year started slow, but by the third quarter, we got good projects. It was our all-time high,” he shared. “We want to be more aggressive in marketing. During the pandemic, it was hard. But now we are on the right track. We met the Foundation at the right time. Challenges are there, but they are temporary and solvable.”
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JMJ Solar continues to grow as a technology-driven company. Engineer Jim remains focused on building systems that are practical, efficient, and sustainable.
“My dream is that JMJ Solar will be present in every household in the CARAGA region. Eventually, all buildings will need electricity. Hopefully, JMJ Solar will be part of that,” he said.
