Solar surge

Growing rooftop PV panel installation is driving Quezon City’s solar capacity boom.

The non-profit Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) reported on 19 November a 73 percent jump in the estimated total solar capacity of the city in less than two years.

ICSC based the estimate on updated data from its Solar Power Estimation of Capacities and Tracking Using Machine Learning (SPECTRUM) platform, which detects solar installations.

From approximately 33.85 megawatts (MW) based on 2023 to 2024 data, the city’s estimated total solar capacity reached 58.55 MW in 2026,m a 73-percent increase in less than two years.

“More than 95 percent of the present total capacity emanates from roof-mounted solar systems at 55.88 MW. These installations could generate more than 78 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity annually, equivalent to at least 1.35% of the city’s total electricity consumption in 2025,” the ICSC said.

ICSC attributed the increase in part to Quezon City’s expanded solarization program and parallel initiatives by the private sector.

The ICSC noted that the city government initially installed solar panels on several buildings within its compound before expanding the program to public schools and city-owned hospitals.

“Solar installations in major commercial establishments, including SM, Ayala, and Robinson malls, have also contributed to the city’s increased solar capacity,” it stated.

Building code boosts rooftop solar

The ICSC said Quezon City has also institutionalized renewable energy and energy efficiency measures through its 2025 Green Building Code, which sets green building requirements for buildings and infrastructure, including those undergoing construction or renovation.

However, the NGO said rooftop solar adoption remains below 1 percent despite the 73-percent increase in estimated solar capacity.

“This points to the need to expand access, particularly among households, socialized housing communities, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, and other institutional and public establishments,” the ICSC pointed out.

Quezon City has a maximum rooftop solar potential of 4,916 MW, according to estimates from the ICSC’s SPECTRUM platform, indicating substantial room for expanding installations across residential, commercial, and institutional sectors.