SENATE President Sherwin Gatchalian urged the Department of Energy (DOE) to simplify the permit requirements for solar panels installation, saying excessive red tape discourages consumers from investing in renewable energy.
“The problem with solar rooftops is red tape. DOE should reduce the number of steps and requirements that those who want to install solar panels must go through,” Gatchalian said.
He said expanding rooftop solar installations would not only help consumers reduce their monthly electricity bills but also lessen pressure on the country’s power grid, particularly during periods of peak demand when electricity consumption surges. Greater use of solar energy would likewise reduce the Philippines’ dependence on imported fossil fuels, whose volatile global prices often contribute to higher electricity rates.
Gatchalian stressed that these benefits will remain beyond the reach of many Filipinos unless government agencies and power distributors work together to standardize documentary requirements, shorten processing times, and eliminate unnecessary procedures for securing permits and grid interconnection approvals.
He said Pakistan’s recent rooftop solar expansion is an example of how consumer-driven investments can rapidly grow when governments remove regulatory barriers.
“Pakistan has shown that when consumers are given a practical and affordable way to reduce electricity costs and lessen their dependence on an unreliable power grid, rooftop solar can expand rapidly,” Gatchalian said. “The Philippines can draw lessons from this experience by making rooftop solar more accessible to households, businesses and public institutions.”
The Philippines has been promoting renewable energy to diversify its energy mix and improve energy security amid rising electricity demand and continued reliance on imported coal and fuel. The government has set ambitious renewable energy targets under the Philippine Energy Plan, with solar expected to play a significant role in expanding clean energy capacity over the coming decades.
Under the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 and the government’s net-metering program, consumers who install eligible rooftop solar systems may export excess electricity to the distribution grid in exchange for credits that help offset their power bills. Industry stakeholders, however, have long raised concerns over varying permit requirements among local governments and lengthy approval processes, which they say discourage potential investors and homeowners from adopting rooftop solar.
