The Department of Energy (DOE) is expecting a rise in rooftop solar installations across the country once the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) finalizes and releases its long-awaited guidelines, which is expected to arrive in the third quarter of this year.

“Once ERC releases rules on rooftop solar, the investments are expected to increase,” said Energy Undersecretary Dr. Rowena Cristina Guevara in a briefing, as reported by the Philippine News Agency.

Guevara shared that satellite data indicates only a small percentage of buildings in the Philippines are currently equipped with rooftop solar panels. She emphasized the country’s potential for widespread adoption, using  Australia as a model where solar rooftop installations have become commonplace.

“Our dream is to be like Australia,” Guevara said. She noted that Australia, with a population of about 27.4 million, has around 450,000 rooftop solar applications annually, compared to the Philippines’ larger population of approximately 118 million in 2024, but significantly less solar applications.

In Australia, the collective output from residential rooftop solar units has become comparable to a large-scale power generator. The DOE hopes to replicate thisl, encouraging more Filipino households and industries to invest in their own solar energy systems.

Guevara added that while many small-scale projects are already in place, the DOE is also eyeing increased activity in industrial zones, once ERC rules provide greater clarity and assurance for large-scale rooftop solar ventures.

The expected policy release is seen as a crucial step toward improving renewable energy adoption and reducing the country’s dependence on fossil fuels.

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