When the sun comes up, so should RE policies

For many Filipino households, the rising cost of electricity has become an inescapable burden. It is not surprising, then, that more families are turning to rooftop solar as a practical response.

Solar technology has become more affordable and efficient, and our tropical climate practically begs us to use the sun as a partner in powering our homes. Yet when one takes that hopeful step toward renewable energy (RE), reality quickly intrudes.

In the Philippines, doing the right thing for the environment and for your wallet can feel like applying for a construction permit for a small building.

When I installed a solar system at home, I was encouraged by the promise of net metering, where households can sell excess electricity back to the grid. In principle, this is exactly how a modern energy system should work — decentralized, citizen-driven, and sustainable.

But when I received the list of requirements of Meralco from my solar installer, I was aghast.

The paperwork was long, with the documents for submission potentially running to 10. Beyond the basic application, applicants must submit identification and proof of occupancy; a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) with multiple solar-specific forms; a Certificate of Renewable Energy Facility Equipment; an electrical plan signed by a professional electrical engineer; and a Plant Parameters Form coordinated with the utility.

Some projects also require a Distribution Impact Study, a local government electrical inspection, a notarized Net-Metering Agreement, and a Fixed Asset Boundary Document, capped by a P1,500 CoC application fee payable to the Energy Regulatory Commission.

Each requirement serves a valid technical purpose. They are intended to ensure safety and system integrity, but together they show how the path from interest to installation can feel procedurally dense for first-time applicants, especially among ordinary households unfamiliar with regulatory procedures.

This gap between policy intent and on-the-ground experience is reflected in recent research. A 2024 Ateneo de Manila University study found that while 82 percent of surveyed Metro Manila households expressed an interest in solar technology, only 20 percent had concrete plans to install it.

The study highlighted that low adoption is not driven by cost alone. Respondents also cited limited public awareness, uncertainty about installation quality, unclear warranties, and lack of confidence in service providers as significant barriers.

These findings are important. They suggest that Filipinos are not resistant to solar energy; rather, they are cautious. In a country where electricity rates average around P11–P12 per kilowatt-hour, among the highest in Southeast Asia, households recognize the economic value of solar. What they seek is clarity, reliability, and a process that feels accessible rather than daunting.

There is already a clear opportunity. The Philippines’ installed solar capacity has grown, and analysts project strong momentum in the coming years as the country works toward its target of 35-percent renewable energy by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.

Simplifying and standardizing net-metering procedures — without compromising safety — can help accelerate this transition. Digitization, clearer guidelines, and consumer education can go a long way in building trust and momentum.

But perhaps the most important benefit is empowerment. Solar allows ordinary Filipinos — families, small businesses, schools, and even barangays — to participate directly in nation-building. Clean energy should not be a privilege reserved for the wealthy or the bureaucratically persistent. It should be accessible to anyone willing to invest in a better future.