Solar guides

Solar Guides

Plain-English guides to going solar in the Philippines — net metering, costs, savings, and payback, without the sales pitch. 87 guides and counting.

Net metering & permits
Meralco Net Metering: How It Works for Homes
How Meralco net metering credits your solar exports, and why self-consumption matters more than export credit.
Financing & incentives
Pag-IBIG Solar Loan Philippines (2026 Guide)
How to use a Pag-IBIG loan for solar panels: the Multi-Purpose Loan (10.5% a year, up to 90% of your savings) and Home Improvement Loan, eligibility, and terms.
Getting started
Is Solar Worth It in the Philippines?
When solar pays off in the Philippines and when it doesn't — bill size, usage pattern, and realistic payback expectations.
Costs & savings
Solar Panel Payback Period in the Philippines
What payback period means for home solar, typical timelines in the Philippines, and the net metering catch that changes the math.
Install, upkeep & backup
Do Solar Panels Work During a Brownout?
A standard grid-tied solar system shuts off during a blackout. Here's why, and what you actually need for backup power in the Philippines.
Net metering & permits
How Does Net Metering Work in the Philippines?
How Philippine net metering under RA 9513 credits solar exports, the bi-directional meter, and why self-consumption beats exporting.
System size & panels
How Many Solar Panels Do I Need? (Philippines)
Estimate solar panel count and system size (kW) from your electric bill, using the same method our estimator uses.
Equipment & brands
Grid-Tied vs Hybrid vs Off-Grid Solar (Philippines)
The three types of home solar systems in the Philippines compared: grid-tied, hybrid, and off-grid, and which one actually fits your home.
Install, upkeep & backup
How to Choose a Solar Installer in the Philippines
A vetting checklist for picking a solar installer in the Philippines: what to verify, red flags to avoid, and questions to ask before you sign.
Install, upkeep & backup
Solar Panel Maintenance in the Philippines
How much upkeep rooftop solar actually needs in the Philippines, from panel cleaning to typhoon checks, plus which components wear out first.
Financing & incentives
Solar Financing Options in the Philippines
Cash, Pag-IBIG, bank loans, or installer financing: how each way of paying for home solar in the Philippines works, and what to check before choosing.
Install, upkeep & backup
Solar Backup for Typhoons & Brownouts (Philippines)
Solar alone won't keep your lights on in a typhoon outage. Here's what backup approach actually works, and how to size it to what you need.
Costs & savings
Solar Panel Prices in the Philippines: What's in a Quote (2026)
What actually goes into a solar quote, installed price ranges by system size, and price per watt in the Philippines for 2026.
Costs & savings
How Much Can Solar Save on Your Electric Bill? (Philippines)
Realistic monthly and lifetime electric bill savings from solar in the Philippines, by bill size, and why it's 40-80% not 100%.
Costs & savings
Is a Solar Battery Worth It in the Philippines?
Honest ROI on adding a battery to home solar: what it costs, how much it extends payback, and when it's worth it anyway.
Getting started
Magkano ang Solar Panel sa Pilipinas? (2026 Price Guide)
Magkano ang installed solar sa Pilipinas: presyo by system size, payback period, at savings — quick price guide for 2026.
Net metering & permits
How to Apply for Net Metering (Philippines)
Step-by-step net metering application process in the Philippines: documents needed, who signs each one, 2026 DOE timelines, and typical fees.
Net metering & permits
Solar Permits and Requirements in the Philippines
Every permit and document a Philippine home solar installation needs — LGU electrical permit, CFEI, Certificate of Compliance, and who signs each one.
Net metering & permits
The DOE's April 2026 Net Metering Rules, Explained
What changed under the DOE's April 2026 net metering circular: 10-day DU approval, 3-day LGU permits, no barangay permit, and what stayed the same.
Net metering & permits
Net Metering vs. Battery Storage: Which Saves More?
Net metering exports credit at roughly ₱5-7/kWh while a battery lets you use stored solar at night instead — here's when each saves more money.
Equipment & brands
Best Solar Panel Brands in the Philippines: What Tier 1 Actually Means
Jinko, LONGi, Canadian Solar, JA Solar, and Trina compared as brand categories, plus what Tier 1 really certifies and how to pick.
Equipment & brands
Monocrystalline vs Polycrystalline vs Bifacial Solar Panels (Philippines)
How the three panel technologies compare on efficiency, heat performance, and cost, and which one actually fits a Philippine residential roof.
Equipment & brands
String vs Hybrid vs Microinverter: Which Solar Inverter Type Fits Your Home? (Philippines)
How string, hybrid, and microinverters work, what each costs in the Philippines, and when to choose one over the others.
Costs & savings
What Size Solar System Do I Need for My Electric Bill? (Philippines)
Match your monthly Meralco or VECO bill to a solar system size in kW, plus what installed cost and monthly savings to expect at each size.
System size & panels
How to Read Your Meralco Bill to Size Solar
Where to find your kWh usage and rate on a Meralco bill, and how to turn those numbers into a solar system size.
Appliances & use cases
How Many Solar Panels to Run an Aircon? (Philippines)
Panel count by aircon size (0.75HP to 2.5HP), based on typical inverter aircon consumption in the Philippines.
Appliances & use cases
Solar for Small Business in the Philippines
Why commercial rooftop solar pays back faster than residential, plus net metering limits and the installer requirements SMEs need to know.
Appliances & use cases
Off-Grid Solar for Provinces and Islands (Philippines)
How off-grid solar works for homes with weak or no grid access, what a battery bank costs, and when it beats waiting on the grid.
Appliances & use cases
Solar for Condos and Renters (Philippines)
Why rooftop net-metered solar isn't for renters, and what portable and balcony solar options actually work in a condo unit.
Install, upkeep & backup
How to Avoid Solar Scams in the Philippines
The red flags that separate a legitimate solar installer from a guerrilla operator, and how to check a contractor before you sign.
Equipment & brands
Solar Panel Warranties Explained (Philippines)
The three warranty types on a solar system, typical terms, and what actually voids coverage in the Philippines.
Install, upkeep & backup
Do Solar Panels Work in Rainy or Cloudy Season? (Philippines)
How much solar output actually drops during the Philippines' wet season, and why systems are still sized around it.
Appliances & use cases
Running a Refrigerator or Freezer on Solar (Philippines)
Fridge and freezer wattage, monthly kWh, and panel count for solar — plus why 24/7 cooling needs a battery, not just panels.
Appliances & use cases
Running a Deep Well or Booster Pump on Solar (Philippines)
Pump wattage by HP, startup surge, and the difference between powering an existing pump on solar vs a dedicated solar pump kit.
Appliances & use cases
Solar Water Heater vs. Solar Panels for Hot Water (Philippines)
Thermal solar water heaters vs. PV panels powering an electric heater — which is cheaper and simpler for hot water in a Philippine home.
Appliances & use cases
Charging an EV with Solar Panels (Philippines)
kWh per charge for common EVs, panels needed to cover daily driving, and why daytime charging gets more value from solar than overnight.
Appliances & use cases
Powering a WFH Desktop Setup with Solar (Philippines)
Desktop, monitors, and router wattage for a work-from-home setup, and why a small power station often makes more sense than a full solar system.
System size & panels
How Many Panels to Run a Whole House? (Philippines)
Whole-house solar sizing by home type and bill, from a small condo to a big house with aircon, with panel counts and price ranges.
System size & panels
3kW Solar System Philippines: Price, Panels, Output
What a 3kW solar system costs installed in the Philippines, who it fits, and realistic output, savings, and payback for small homes and condos.
System size & panels
5kW Solar System Philippines: Price, Panels, Output
What a 5kW solar system costs installed in the Philippines, who it fits, and realistic output, savings, and payback for a typical mid-size home.
System size & panels
8kW Solar System Philippines: Price, Panels, Output
What an 8kW solar system costs installed in the Philippines, who it fits, and realistic output, savings, and payback for a larger home with aircon.
System size & panels
10kW Solar System Philippines: Price, Panels, Output
What a 10kW solar system costs installed in the Philippines, who it fits, and realistic output, savings, and payback for a big home or small business.
Equipment & brands
Jinko vs Canadian Solar: Which Tier 1 Panel Brand Is Better? (Philippines)
Jinko and Canadian Solar compared on efficiency, warranty, price, and local availability — two Tier 1 brands, no forced winner.
Equipment & brands
Tier 1 vs Tier 2 Solar Panels: What the Rating Actually Means (Philippines)
What Tier 1 and Tier 2 solar panel ratings actually measure, why it's about bankability not quality, and when Tier 2 is a reasonable choice.
Equipment & brands
Deye vs Growatt Hybrid Inverter: Which Fits Your System? (Philippines)
Deye and Growatt hybrid inverters compared on price, features, warranty, and local support in the Philippines.
Equipment & brands
Solar Panel Brands to Avoid: The Red Flags That Actually Matter (Philippines)
The warning signs of a bad solar panel deal in the Philippines — no-name panels, fake Tier 1 claims, no local support — without naming specific brands.
Financing & incentives
Solar Loan Options in the Philippines
Bank green loans, personal loans, installer installment plans, and Pag-IBIG: how each solar loan option works and rough terms to expect.
Financing & incentives
Solar Leasing, PPAs, and Rent-to-Own in the Philippines
How solar leasing, power purchase agreements, and rent-to-own models work, how available they are in the Philippines, and how they compare to buying.
Financing & incentives
RA 9513 Solar Incentives and Tax Rules in the Philippines
What the Renewable Energy Act (RA 9513) actually gives homeowners vs. registered RE developers: net metering, VAT zero-rating, and duty-free equipment.
Costs & savings
Solar + Battery vs. Generator: Cost Comparison (Philippines)
Upfront cost, fuel cost per kWh, noise, and maintenance: solar plus battery vs. a gas or diesel generator for Philippine home backup power.
Financing & incentives
Buy vs. Finance Solar: Which Makes Sense in the Philippines?
How paying cash vs. financing changes solar payback and ROI in the Philippines, with an illustrative example, and when each option actually makes sense.
Getting started
How Do Solar Panels Work? (Philippines)
How sunlight becomes usable electricity, from PV cells to inverter to your home's outlets, explained simply.
Equipment & brands
What Is a Hybrid Inverter? (Philippines)
How hybrid inverters differ from string inverters, why they're battery-ready, and when a Philippine home actually needs one.
Equipment & brands
MPPT vs PWM Charge Controller: Which Do You Need? (Philippines)
How MPPT and PWM charge controllers differ for off-grid and battery solar setups, and which one fits your budget and system.
Equipment & brands
Solar Panel Efficiency Explained: What the Percentage Actually Means (Philippines)
What solar panel efficiency percentage means, how it holds up in Philippine heat, and TOPCon vs PERC compared.
Equipment & brands
Solar Panel Degradation and Lifespan (Philippines)
How much solar panel output drops each year, how long panels actually last, and how Philippine heat affects both.
System size & panels
Which Direction Should Solar Panels Face in the Philippines?
Why south-facing panels at a shallow tilt produce the most power in the Philippines, and how much output you lose facing east or west.
System size & panels
Roof Types and Solar Mounting in the Philippines
How solar mounting differs on metal, concrete, and tile roofs, and what wind-load rating your system needs for Philippine typhoons.
System size & panels
How Shading Affects Solar Panel Output (Philippines)
Why one shaded panel can cut a whole string's output by 30-50%, and how microinverters or optimizers limit the damage.
Install, upkeep & backup
How Long Does Solar Installation Take? (Philippines)
The real timeline from solar quote to switched-on system in the Philippines, including the faster 2026 net metering approval window.
Install, upkeep & backup
What to Expect During a Solar Site Survey (Philippines)
What a solar installer checks during a Philippine home site survey, roof, electrical panel, shading, and usage, and what you need to have ready.
Install, upkeep & backup
How to Clean Solar Panels in the Philippines
How often to clean solar panels in the Philippine climate, the safe cleaning method, and when to hire a professional instead of doing it yourself.
Equipment & brands
Solar Battery Types: LiFePO4 vs Lead-Acid (Philippines)
LiFePO4 vs lead-acid solar batteries compared on cycle life, cost, lifespan, and safety, and why LiFePO4 is now standard.
Install, upkeep & backup
Selling a House With Solar Panels in the Philippines
Whether solar adds resale value to a Philippine home, how net metering transfers to a new owner, and which documents to hand over.
Install, upkeep & backup
Solar Panel Disposal and Recycling in the Philippines
What happens to solar panels after their 25-30 year lifespan in the Philippines, current recycling options, and how e-waste rules apply.
Install, upkeep & backup
Solar Performance in Extreme Heat (Philippines)
Why solar panels produce less as they get hotter, how much Philippine heat cuts output, and what reduces the loss.
Getting started
Understanding Your kWh Usage (Philippines)
What a kilowatt-hour is, where to find it on your Meralco bill, and how your monthly usage drives the solar system size you need.
System size & panels
How Much Roof Space Do Solar Panels Need? (Philippines)
Roof space needed per kW of solar, a table by system size, and what to do if your roof is smaller than that.
Net metering & permits
Is DIY Solar Legal in the Philippines?
What you can legally DIY, why net-metered systems need a licensed PEE/RME sign-off and PCAB-licensed installer, and the risks of skipping them.
Getting started
Should I Wait for Solar Prices to Drop? (Philippines)
Solar prices have eased since 2024 as panel costs fell — here's whether waiting for more still makes sense versus installing now.
Install, upkeep & backup
Solar Monitoring: What to Track (Philippines)
Which app to use for your inverter brand, which metrics actually matter, and how to spot a problem before it costs you months of lost output.
Install, upkeep & backup
Common Solar Installation Mistakes (Philippines)
The five most common, costly solar mistakes in the Philippines — wrong sizing, cheap parts, bad orientation, skipped permits, and no monitoring.
Financing & incentives
GSIS Ginhawa Solar Energy Loan: 2026 Guide
The GSIS Ginhawa Solar Energy Loan lets government employees borrow up to ₱500,000 at 5% a year to install solar. Terms, eligibility, and how to apply.
Net metering & permits
How to Apply for Net Metering with Meralco
Meralco-specific net metering steps: where to submit online or at a business center, the exact document checklist, fees, and the 2026 approval timeline.
Net metering & permits
How to Apply for Net Metering with VECO (Visayan Electric)
VECO-specific net metering steps for Metro Cebu: where to submit, the document checklist, fees, and the 2026 approval timeline.
Net metering & permits
How to Apply for Net Metering with Davao Light
Davao Light-specific net metering steps for Davao City: where to submit, the document checklist, fees, and the 2026 approval timeline.
Costs & savings
Meralco Electricity Rate History (₱/kWh, 2021-2026)
How Meralco's residential rate per kWh has moved — from the 2021 pandemic low near ₱8.25 to the 2026 peak above ₱14.80 — and what the trend means for solar payback.
Appliances & use cases
Inverter vs Non-Inverter Aircon: Which Saves More on Your Electric Bill?
Inverter vs non-inverter aircon in the Philippines — how much electricity each uses, the real bill difference, upfront cost, and when the inverter type pays for itself.
Costs & savings
Meralco Rate per kWh (2026): The Current Rate and What Drives It
The current Meralco rate per kWh in 2026, what makes up the charge, why it changes every month, and how to estimate your own effective rate from your bill.
Getting started
Solar Companies in the Philippines: How to Choose the Right Installer
A plain-English guide to solar companies in the Philippines — the types of providers, the names you'll come across, and exactly how to vet an installer before you sign.
Appliances & use cases
How Much Electricity Do Home Appliances Use? (Philippines, ₱ per Hour)
Power consumption and running cost of common Philippine home appliances — electric fan, aircon, ref, TV, rice cooker, water heater — in watts and pesos per hour at 2026 rates.
Equipment & brands
How a Home Solar System Is Wired: The Setup Diagram Explained
A plain-English solar setup diagram for a Philippine home — how panels, inverter, battery, meter, and your loads connect, and what each part does in the chain.
Equipment & brands
Series vs Parallel Solar Panels: How Wiring Affects Voltage and Current
Series vs parallel solar panel wiring explained simply — how each affects voltage and current, when to use which, and why it matters for matching your inverter.
Install, upkeep & backup
Solar Power Bank Philippines: What's Actually Worth Buying
An honest guide to solar power banks in the Philippines — why the solar panel on most is nearly useless, when they're worth it, and what to buy instead for real backup.
Appliances & use cases
Solar Aircon in the Philippines: How It Works and Is It Worth It?
What a solar (hybrid) aircon is, how it runs on solar panels, what it costs in the Philippines, and why rooftop solar with a normal inverter aircon is often the smarter buy.
Install, upkeep & backup
Solar Lights & Street Lights in the Philippines: Prices and Buying Guide
Solar lights and solar street lights in the Philippines — typical prices by type, what actually matters when buying (battery, lumens, panel), and how to avoid the cheap ones that die fast.
Equipment & brands
Flexible & Portable Solar Panels in the Philippines: What They're Actually For
Flexible vs portable (foldable) solar panels in the Philippines — the difference, real prices, honest pros and cons, and why neither belongs on a house roof.