Solar & Net Metering
First things first, if you’re thinking of getting solar installations, remember to:
- Choose the right solar provider
Select a supplier who has a good track record, reliable after-sales service, and knowledge of standards for safety. - Know the right size of installation before purchase.
Get your highest electricity consumption at a single point during the day. This will determine the maximum amount of power you need. Having this information can prevent you from overspending on your installation and ensures the smooth and safe operation of your electrical appliances and equipment. - Get the best type of installation for you.
Some solar installations can be designed to power-up only a particular part of your home or business without connecting to the Meralco system (e.g powering up the lights in your living room, or solely your air conditioning outlet).
DID YOU KNOW?
Simply having solar panels will not help you lower your electricity bill. We highly encourage that you apply for the net-metering program to make sure you maximize you investment.
The smart way of doing solar. Save with Net Metering.
Our net metering service is designed to help you lower electricity bills by avoiding or reducing the power that you get from us. You can also earn credits on your electricity bill by exporting back unused or excess electricity generated by your solar installation.
Currently, under the net metering rules, the maximum allowed generating capacity is 100 kW and is subject to technical considerations. So, if your solar installation generates more than 100kW, you are not yet eligible for this service.
For more information about Net Metering, you may call our 24/7 hotline 16211.
Improper solar installations can pose safety issues to you, your home or business, its surrounding premises, and even to our linemen and field personnel.
Electrical fire and electrocution hazards
Improperly installed solar panels can cause electrical fires and electrocution endangering you, your home or business, and those around you.
Safety of linemen and field personnel
Some contractors don’t install a shut-off feature. When we need to make repairs along your street, power is completely shut-off in the affected lines. Without a shut-off feature, your solar installation could provide even a small amount of electricity to the power lines, causing harm (even death) to linemen and field personnel.
Instability of the Meralco network
Solar installations, which are incompatible with the Meralco system, can cause fluctuations in the quality of power across the circuit, affecting your neighbors.
Risk of damage of roofs
Faulty installations may lead to risk of damage during powerful typhoons and heavy rain.
Proper registration of the meter
If your contractor doesn’t install the right meter, Meralco might read the power provided by your solar panels as additional consumption. This means you will be billed for both the power you consumed from Meralco and the power your solar panels provided.
Ask your solar installers to inform us before your solar panels are put up so we can help assess its safety.
- Submit your documents.
Complete the application form and submit the necessary documents. - Invite us over for a technical evaluation.
Meralco will evaluate your application and requirements through a pre-survey and a distribution impact study (DIS). A distribution asset study (DAS) may be done as necessary. The DIS and Das will not be applicable if your installation is not connected to our system, or what we call the ‘island mode’.
- Let’s work on a design.
We will coordinate with your solar installers to design the interconnection facility.
- Let’s talk about our Project Agreement.
Once the design is finalized, we will have to agree on financing options, notifications, and signing of contracts. - Get the final approval.
We will also inspect your facility and the service entrance. - Wait for the go signal.
Once approved, our crew will construct and execute the approved design. - Power your home or business!
As soon as the construction of the facility is completed, we can now energize your home or business by installing additional meters and commissioning for activation.
While we don’t endorse specific products or companies for your solar installations, we can recommend our subsidiary, SPECTRUM.
