NET METERING

The Philippines enjoys a size able amount of sunshine. In fact, the country can harness the sun’s power as its radiation across the country has a power generation potential of 4.5 to 5.5 kWh per square meter per day. With that, every on grid private household and company can utilize the power of the sun with solar panels on their own roofs. This paves way to the introduction of the Net-Metering scheme. The scheme represents the first step of a paradigm shift from the traditional generation-transmission-distribution scheme towards individual and community based distributed on-site power generation. The Net-Metering is the first non-fiscal incentive mechanism fully implemented under the Renewable Energy (RE) Act of 2008. Through the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels up to 100 kW, house owners and commercial establishments can now partly satisfy their electricity demand by themselves. Excess power generated from the solar PV installation will be delivered to the local distribution grid of the electric distribution utility and will be used to offset the end-user’s electricity consumption. In other words, end-users become “prosumers” or producers and consumers of electricity at the same time. In effect, end-users are able to generate savings on their electricity bill and protect themselves against rising electricity prices. What is even greater to this cause is that end-users can help mitigate the effects of climate change through the use of clean energy technologies. It will also contribute in lessening the country’s dependence on costly imported fossil fuels. Thus, the Department of Energy lauds the different RE stakeholders for coming together and publishing the “Net-Metering Reference Guide: How to avail of solar roof tops and other renewables below 100 KW in the Philippines.” Through this informative reference, the energy sector supports the consumers who wish to invest in solar roof tops. It is with great confidence that this guidebook will help electric consumers make informed decisions over the installation of solar roof top, and take advantage of the benefit of the net-metering scheme. The DOE is optimistic that soon enough thousands of roofs nationwide will be fitted with solar installations and harness the unlimited, free energy from the sun. As we all know, it’s more sun in the Philippines.