Insider Spotlight
The findings come as consumers continue to grapple with elevated electricity costs and concerns over grid stability. The survey also showed that 97 percent of respondents are highly concerned about the country's current energy challenges, while 66 percent identified renewable energy expansion as the best long-term solution. Among renewable technologies, rooftop solar emerged as the public's preferred option.
Why it matters
The survey signals a shift in consumer sentiment, with rooftop solar increasingly viewed as an essential household investment rather than a premium upgrade.
Around 85 percent of respondents described rooftop solar as a necessity, although affordability remains the biggest barrier to wider adoption.
The findings highlight demand for lower installation costs, improved consumer awareness, and financing programs that could make solar systems more accessible to households.
By the numbers
Global energy think tank Ember estimated Philippine rooftop solar capacity reached 721 MW in early 2025, with residential installations accounting for 371 MW.
Data from the Energy Regulatory Commission showed that more than 22,000 customers had enrolled in the country's net-metering program as of March 2026, allowing them to export excess electricity to distribution utilities in exchange for bill credits.
Despite the growth, studies continue to identify high upfront costs as the primary obstacle preventing broader residential adoption.
Policy lessons from abroad
Climate Smart Ventures said international examples demonstrate how policy support and financial incentives can rapidly expand rooftop solar deployment.
Pakistan rapidly expanded distributed solar through low import taxes, favorable net-metering policies, and falling equipment prices, while Australia paired government rebates, subsidies, and low-cost financing to become a global leader in residential rooftop solar installations.
Both markets show that supportive regulations, reliable grid integration, and economic incentives can significantly accelerate rooftop solar adoption.
Policy priorities for the Philippines
Climate Smart Ventures said the Philippines should continue streamlining net-metering requirements, expand government-backed green financing and affordable solar loans, prepare households for broader participation in retail electricity markets, and create additional revenue opportunities for rooftop solar owners through mechanisms such as renewable energy certificates and future peer-to-peer electricity trading.
The group also said reducing upfront installation costs remains essential to making rooftop solar accessible to middle- and low-income households and sustaining mass adoption.
Government momentum
Climate Smart Ventures expressed support for the Philippine government's ongoing efforts to strengthen distributed energy regulations and improve the country's net-metering framework. Recent policy reforms, including streamlined application procedures and expanded consumer benefits, signal continued momentum toward increasing renewable energy deployment.
The organization said aligning regulatory frameworks with market realities will be critical to unlocking wider rooftop solar adoption, strengthening energy security, and helping households manage rising electricity costs over the long term. —Ramon C. Nocon | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
