By Ashley Erica O Jose, Reporter
Jennylyn Valencia Burgos, 33, is one of many Filipinos who have installed solar panels on the roofs of their homes to save costs in a country with the most expensive electricity prices in Southeast Asia.
Ms Burgos, who spent £65,000 ($1,145) on solar panels, said her monthly electricity bill tops £1,000 a month. Now there are months when he doesn't pay for electricity.
“It's worth it, especially if you have a lot of boards,” he said in a Facebook Messenger chat. “Yes, it's expensive, but it really saves money.”
The Philippines relies heavily on imported coal from Indonesia and Australia, making its electricity system vulnerable to political turmoil, price fluctuations and unfavorable exchange rates.
According to Fitch Solutions' Country Risk and Industry Research report, there is a trend towards renewable energy and solar power is expected to drive renewable energy growth in the Philippines over the next decade.
The country aims to increase the share of renewable energy sources in its energy balance from the current 22% to 35% by 2030 and to 50% by 2040.
To mitigate the impact of rising electricity prices, the use of solar panels in households is increasing. Solar roofs are expected to help families, especially in the summer months when electricity is scarce.
Earlier this year, Luzon's power grid was declared on red and yellow alert, shutting down two power plants after a power line explosion affected more than 300,000 customers in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces.
Another measure promoted by the Department of Energy (DoE) is a net metering program that would allow household consumers with renewable energy systems such as solar power to use electricity as needed, thereby contributing to the electricity grid.
Net metering, which allows consumers to receive energy export credits, is the first policy mechanism of the Philippine Renewable Energy Act of 2008, which was introduced for the first time. The program is open to users with power up to 100 kilowatts.
O. Manila Electric senior vice president and chief commercial officer Gilos said there were 6,665 net metering customers at the end of last year with an installed capacity of 40,075 peak kilowatts (kW), according to Ferdinand.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) says net metering protects consumers from rising electricity prices.
To qualify, consumers must apply to the utility company for assessment, inspection, completion and operation, but the application process varies by local government.
To install a solar photovoltaic (PV) system, customers need photovoltaic solar panels that absorb light and a DC/AC converter that converts the DC output from the panels into AC power that can then be fed to the commercial grid. network or use it offline .
Obstacles in law enforcement
Sen. Sherwin T. Gatchalian, vice chairman of the Senate Energy Committee, proposed eliminating the 100-kilowatt cap on net metering to encourage more Filipinos to invest in renewable energy.
Last year, the Energy Regulatory Commission allowed the use of renewable energy sources with a capacity of up to 1 megawatt.
"Last year, we published the Regulatory Framework for Distributed Energy Resources, or DER, which already allows the installation of renewable energy plants of up to 1 MW for customers," said ERC President and CEO Monalisa C. Dimalanta. In Viber messages. message.
“This 1 megawatt limit will be reviewed in one to two years to see if there is a request for an increase in the limit.”
This will allow regulators to “manage the impact of distribution companies on other customers” so that large consumers can choose and access renewable energy, Dimalanta said.
He added that the existing procedures are adequate and simplified, and the issue of using solar panels on roofs is now the authority of the regional government.
Dr Dymalanta noted that now the regulatory procedures for household consumers are clear and simplified.
"Now the implementation is to ensure everything runs smoothly, starting from central agencies, distribution services and local governments," he said. “The problems remain – dissemination of information and access to funding .”
According to the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), solar PV installations are not yet widespread in the Philippines, mainly due to a lack of awareness among homeowners.
Gefraim K. said, “Many consumers are still unaware of the potential savings associated with rooftop solar,” said ICSC Chief Scientist Manansala via Viber message.
According to him, some Filipinos do not want to have a solar PV system because they do not know how to maintain and operate it. “Others may also be unsure of the type of solar PV system to use, whether it is grid-tied or a hybrid system.
Many homeowners also find the permitting process difficult. “Some local governments have optimized the solar PV process, while others are not yet ready,” Manansala said.
He added that some solar power installations do not meet distribution company requirements and are not under government control.
“Regulatory controls, including monitoring by distribution companies and governments, or compliance with requirements to install certified renewable energy meters can be a challenge for some consumers, discouraging them from registering and installing solar PV systems,” Manansala said.
“Achieving these challenges requires collaboration between many stakeholders, including government agencies, utility companies, and consumers,” he said.
