Philippines Streamlines Regulations for Small-Scale Solar Power Adoption

MANILA, Philippines — Small power consumers can now invest in and use solar power systems faster as the government scrapped preapproval requirements, accelerating the permitting process. A new circular from the Department of Energy (DOE) directed all distribution utilities to remove “administrative barriers” in installing small-scale solar generation systems. These include preinstallation clearances, technical permits or inspection fees. READ: PH has plenty of sun – so why isn’t solar booming yet? The new rules cover all self-generating facilities (SGFs), microsolar systems (MSS) and zero-export energy systems (ZESS), including those used by households and medical facilities. According to the agency, qualified users who want to tap SGFs or ZESS are no longer required to obtain a certificate of compliance (COC) from the Energy Regulatory Commission. The regulator, however, still has the power to set and enforce technical and commercial guidelines. MSS users, in addition, do not need a building permit or a COC. Meanwhile, the DOE prepared safety protocols, including requiring all MSS to have an automatic anti-islanding disconnection safety mechanism. This is to ensure that the solar system will automatically be offline during power outages. The feature prevents the system from delivering power to the grid and accidentally shocking utility workers repairing the lines. READ: Solar panel installers urged to register with DOE The DOE is also in close coordination with the Bureau of Philippine Standards of the Department of Trade and Industry to ensure that only certified products will come to the market. The department said pushing for this would help the country achieve its goal of expanding the share of renewable energy (RE) in the power generation mix to 35 percent by 2030. “The DOE envisions maximizing the inclusion, utilization, and acceleration of RE even at the consumer level,” it said. “There is a need to issue a policy that supports the participation of small-scale end-users in the deployment of RE technologies by providing a streamlined regulatory approach that complements the existing net-metering framework and other consumer choice program,” the DOE said. INQ