Powering solar, protecting homes and businesses

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June 18, 2026 | 12:00am

Rooftop solar adoption in the Philippines is on the rise, fueled by a growing need for Filipinos to protect and maximize their hard-earned money in today’s challenging economic climate.

Data backs this trend – the Philippines has emerged as China’s second-largest export market for solar panels with shipments in March and April 2026 alone reaching 3,000 MW – over half of last year’s total of 5,068 MW. News reports citing an April 23 survey by Agile Data Solutions also showed that 87 percent of Filipinos are considering installing solar panels. Among those who expressed interest, high installation costs, maintenance and durability of panels emerged as major concerns.

At present, installing solar panels can seem overwhelming due to complex permitting requirements, cost considerations and safety concerns. As a result, some families eager to reduce electricity costs end up exploring alternative – but often unsafe – solutions.

Without clear guidance, some households may be tempted to bypass formal processes such as proceeding without notifying their utility or turning to unregistered installers to manage costs – this can expose them to significant safety risks.

Meralco, the country’s largest utility, has consistently reminded consumers that unregistered installations can cause electrical fires, create electrocution hazards and endanger line and field personnel who may be working on power distribution facilities. Unregistered installations can also destabilize the local network, leading to power outages that affect not only the household but possibly entire communities.

For solar adoption to truly succeed, it must be safe, accessible and properly regulated. Regulations should not be viewed as obstacles. They are essential safeguards that protect households and communities while ensuring long-term benefits. This is something I have stressed before and it deserves to be underscored once more: consumers must understand that safety cannot be secondary to savings.

Public awareness campaigns can reinforce these responsibilities, ensuring that households understand both the benefits and the risks of solar adoption.

Government can significantly accelerate solar adoption by simplifying and standardizing permits nationwide. Establishing a clear, unified set of requirements – a single checklist applied across all local government units (LGUs) and utilities – would make compliance far more straightforward for households and businesses. Standardizing permit costs across the country would further ease the process and remove unnecessary barriers to entry.

It is worth noting that recent government initiatives have shown promise. The Department of Trade and Industry has moved to establish regulations requiring that all solar energy system components- whether imported, manufactured, distributed or sold locally- meet defined safety and quality standards.

The Department of Energy, meanwhile, has proposed simplifying requirements for households that install solar purely for personal use. Under the proposed guidelines, households intending to install zero-export solar systems or those that do not feed electricity back into the grid — will not require prior clearances and permits from the host distribution utility. But for households interested in solar facilities intended to be connected to the grid, they must submit a written notification to the host utility accompanied by a copy of the building permit issued by the LGU.

These reforms, once fully in place, will help make solar adoption both safer and more accessible. Solar energy offers a practical path to lower electricity bills, cleaner living and greater resilience against rising costs.

More importantly, it contributes to a broader effort to protect our environment and address the growing challenges of climate change.

As a senior citizen, I have witnessed the evolution of energy – from more traditional sources to the modern technologies we rely on today. Seeing solar emerge as a powerful and accessible solution gives me renewed hope – a reminder that progress is possible and that even at the household level, we can be part of the solution. With the right support, I believe more Filipino families can embrace solar with confidence- helping not only their own homes but also contributing to a more sustainable future for the next generations.