Solar energy for Philippine homes

How to approach a solar decision

1. Know your usage. Collect 12 months of bills (or at least several) and note your kWh. Daytime use matters most, because solar energy you use as it’s produced is worth the most.
2. Estimate before you talk to sellers. The solar system size calculator suggests a system size for your usage, and the solar savings calculator shows how system size, sun hours, self-consumption and export credits drive savings.
3. Understand the system types. Grid-tied systems usually switch off during a brownout; hybrid systems with batteries can keep some loads running. See on-grid vs hybrid vs off-grid.
4. Check your utility’s net-metering process. See the steps, documents, fees and processing time for net metering by electric company.
5. Compare installers’ prices. See which companies serve your province and compare their published packages by price per kWp in our solar company comparison.
6. Get several written quotes and compare them on price per kWp, equipment, warranties and the assumptions behind the savings claims.
7. Check the payback over the system’s life — including degradation and an inverter replacement — with the solar payback calculator.