NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
)
)
SEN 
S. No.
*22 JUL 13 P4:29
RHCEiVEPBV:
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
TO FURTHER PROMOTE THE ADOPTION OF ROOFTOP SOLAR TECHNOLOGY 
AMONG RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, AND GOVERNMENT 
END-USERS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9513, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "RENEWABLE ENERGY ACT OF 2008", AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE1
The solar photovoltaic (PV) technology is a low-carbon renewable energy 
solution well suited In the Asia-Pacific region due to Its bountiful solar radiation. 
There are two common types of solar PV system: (1) utility-scale installation with 
one megawatt capacity which require large, open land areas with few shadows, and 
(2) distribution generation which may be ground-mounted or installed on rooftops, 
and generate power during the day while feeding surplus power back into the power 
grid2.
In the Philippines, rooftop solar PV technology could be a valuable tool in 
achieving energy security, reducing electricity cost, improving supply reliability and 
promoting power grid independence. It can also help offset part of the investment 
needed for new power generation. More so, it recognizes the right of the people to a 
balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.
In 2018, the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analytics (lEEFA) 
published a report entitled "Unlocking Rooftop Solar in the Philippines" which tagged
1 We acknowledge the support of Mr. Roberto Verzola in drafting this measure.
2 Asian Development Bank. Wandbook for Rooftop Solar Development in Asia. 
https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/153201/rooftop-solar-development-handbook.pdf


Philippines has one of the highest-priced electricity rates among ASEAN members 
states. However, it stressed that the promotion of solar power generation can 
ensure power supply while lowering electricity costs to P2.50 per kilowatt-hour 
(kWh), leading to a $2.8 billion or PI.5 trillion in new investment by 2030.3
The benefits of solar power has long been recognized by National Economic 
Development Authority (NEDA) Director General Ernesto M. Pernia. In 2015, he 
wrote a policy report entitled "Solar Power's Dawning and Promise for Inclusive 
Growth" published by the Philippine Center for Economic Development (PCED).4 He 
noted the recent developments in solar energy and called upon the government to 
vigorously foster the development of solar power in Its various forms.5
According to the study, rooftop solar Is an emerging technology which the 
government should look into for the following reasons:
1) Electricity from rooftop solar is becoming cheaper by the day. In 2014, then 
Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Jericho Petilla stated that electricit/ 
from a coal plant costs around Phpl2.00 per kilowatt hour, with transmission 
and distribution costs factored in.6 In contrast, electricity from solar panels 
directly Installed on one's rooftop costs only Php9.00per kilowatt hour;7
2) Rooftop solar could re Juce the demand for electricity during peak hours. In 
2013, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) 
estimated that a 10% reduction in peak demand is expected to bring down 
spot prices by 20%.8 Of course, peak hours are usually around 12 to 2 pm in
3 Ahmed, S.J. Unlocking Rooftop Solar in the Philippines. Retrieved from http://ieefa.org/wp- 
content/uploads/2018/07/Unlocking-Rooftop-Soiar-in-the-Philippines_July-2018.pdf
4 Pernia, E.M. "Solar Power's Dawning and Promise" PCED Policy Notes {Ho. 2015-01) Retrieved from 
http://www.pced.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/PN-2015-01_final-digital.pdf
5 Pernia, E.M. "Solar Power's Dawning and Promise" PCED Policy Notes {Ho. 2015-01) Retrieved from 
http://www.pced.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/PN-2015-01_finai-digital.pdf
6 Verzola, R. Crossing Over: The Energy Transition to Renewable Electricity. Philippines: Friedrich 
Ebert-Stiftung, 2015.
7 Ibid.
8 USAID. Challenges in Pricing Electric Power Services in Selected ASEAN Countries. Retrieved from 
http://www.catif.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Challenges-in-Pricing-Electric-Power-Services.pdf


the afternoon when the sun is hottest. In 2015, the Luzon grid recorded its 
highest electricity demand to date at 8,791 megawatts (MW) on May 6 at 
2:08 pm.9 Fortunately, solar panels work best when the sun is hottest, which 
coincides with when demand for electricity in the Philippines is highest;
3) Complete solar photovoltaic systems can be bought off-the-shelf and could 
be easily installed in a few hours. Larger systems may take a few days. No 
other technology, renewable or otherwise, could match the convenient 
installation attributed to rooftop solar; and
4) Unlike other power plants, whether fossil-based, hydro, wind or solar farms, 
rooftop solar does not require land conversions because it uses what is 
usually an underutilized and already existing resource, the roof.
The Philippines has policy mechanisms to support the development of rooftop 
solar. In 2008, net-metering was introduced as one of the major policy innovations 
under Republic Act No. 9513, otherwise known as the ''Renewable Energy Act of 
2008" In addition, MERALCO introduced the Peak/Off Peak (POP) Program in 2014. 
Under the POP program, households with rooftop solar are charged a higher rate for 
daytime-consumption and a lower rate for night time consumption.10 Finally, PAG- 
IBIG Fund Introduced a new solar panel acquisition/installation loan in 2015.11
This measure seeks to address the gaps in this emerging Industry by 
introducing the following measures that aims to further increase and encourage the 
adoption of rooftop solar in the Philippines:
9 Olchondra, R.T. "Summer heat drives Luzon power demand to new peak" Philippine Daily Inquirer 
(May 08, 2015). Retrieved from http://business.inquirer.net/191467/summer-heat-drives-luzon- 
power-demand-to-new-peak
10 Ranada, P. "How Practical is Solar Power for PH Home Owners" Rappier{26 July 2014). Retrieved 
from http://www.rappler.com/business/industries/power-and-energy/64165-solar-power-ph- 
households-net-metering
11 PAG-IBIG Fund. "Availment of PAG-IBIG Housing Loan for the Acquisition/Installation of Solar 
Panels. Retrieved from
http://www.pagibigfund.gov.ph/governancescorecard/MateriaIs%20for%20uploading/Memo%20on%
20Environment.pdf


1) Removal of the 100-Kw cap on distributed generation to allow large electricity 
consumers such as commercial establishments and industrial buildings to avail 
of the net-metering program under RA 9513;
2) Insertion of an explicit provision that the same reference price should be 
applied to both electricity imported from and exported to the grid by end- 
users;
3) Requiring the Department of Energy, Energy Regulatory Commission, National 
Renewable Energy Board, Department of Interior and Local Government, to 
standardize permits and licenses needed to instail rooftop solar panels;
4) Institutionalization of the rooftop solar loan program of the PAG-IBIG Fund; 
and
5) Mandatory installation of rooftop solar panels on government buildings, which 
shall increase by 5% every five years.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is eagerly sought.
GRACE PO;


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 532
^eiiatp 
of >1)'
•22 JUL13 P4 30
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
TO FURTHER PROMOTE THE ADOPTION OF ROOFTOP SOLAR TECHNOLOGY
AMONG RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, AND GOVERNMENT 
END-USERS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9513, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "RENEWABLE ENERGY ACT OF 2008", AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Senate in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Tide, - This Act shall be known as the "Solar Rooftop
2 
Adoption Act of 2019".
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes energy security and
4 
electricity affordability as necessary components of inclusive, sustained and broad-
5 
based growth. The State further recognizes the necessity of balancing the provision
6 
of secure and affordable electricity with the right of the people to a balanced and
7 
healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. The State also
8 
recognizes the emergence of rooftop photovoltaic or solar technology as an
9 
Increasingly affordable and feasible method of complementing the electricity needs
10 
of residential and commercial end-users, thereby reducing overall demand.
11 
To this end, it is hereby declared a policy of the State to further promote
12 
rooftop solar technology among residential and commercial end-users, and to
13 
address institutional barriers tr> its adoption thereof.
14 
Sec. 3. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 9513 Is hereby amended to read as
15 
follows:
16 
"Section 4. Definition of Terms- As used In this Act, the following terms are
17 
herein defined:
18 
XXX


1 
(j) "Distributed generation" refers to a system of small generation
2 
entities supplying directly to the distribution grid [jany one of- which shall
3 
net-exceed one hundred kilowatts (lOQ-kW) -in capacity;] OR TO EiMD-
4 
USERS, AND WHICH 
ARE PRIMARILY USED TO MEET OR
5 
AUGMENT THE ELECTRICITY REQUIREMENTS OF EMD USERS."
6 
Sec. 4. Section 10 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
7 
"Section 10. Net-Metering for Renewable Energy- Subject to technical
8 
considerations and without discrimination and upon request by distribution end-
9 
users, the distribution utilities shall enter into net-metering agreements with
10 
qualified end-users who will be installing RE system.
11 
The ERC, in consultation with the NREB and the electric power industry
12 
participants, shall establish net metering Interconnection standards and pricing
13 
methodology and other commercial arrangements necessary to ensure success of
14 
the net-metering for renewable energy program within one (1) year upon the
15 
effectivity of this Act. IN ESTABLISHING A PRICING METHODOLOGY, THE
16 
ERC SHALL ENSURE THAT THE SAME REFERENCE SHALL BE APPLIED TO
17 
BOTH THE ELECTRICITY IMPORTED FROM AND EXPORTED TO THE
18 
DISTRIBUTION GRID BY END-USERS.
19 
The distribution utility shall be entitled to any Renewable Energy Certificate
20 
resulting from net-metering arrangement with the qualified end-user who is using an
21 
RE resource to provide energy and the distribution utility shall be able to use this RE
22 
certificate In compliance with its obligations under RPS.
23 
The DOE, ERC, TRANSCO or its successors-in-lnterest, DUs, PEMC and all
24 
relevant parties are hereby mandated to provide the mechanisms for the physical
25 
connection and commercial arrangements necessary to ensure the success of the
26 
Net-metering for Renewable Energy program, consistent with the Grid and
27 
Distribution Codes."
28 
Sec. 5. Standardization of Permits and Licensing Requirements. - The
29 
Department of Energy (DOE), In coordination with the Department of Interior and
30 
Local Government (DILG), In coordination with the relevant power distribution
31 
utilities and Local Government Units, shall standardize and streamline permitting and
32 
licensing requirements in the installation of rooftop solar projects.


1 
Sec. 6. Solar Installation Loans. - Pursuant to the declared national policy of
2 
this Act, the Board of Trustees under Republic Act No. 9679, otherwise known as the
3 
"Home Development Mutual Fund Law of 2009" shall develop a loan program for
4 
qualified members for the acquisition and installation of solar panels as part of home
5 
improvement or as a component of the housing unit to be purdiased, subject to the
6 
prevailing Pag-IBIG Fund rules and regulations.
7 
Sec. 7. Installation of Solar Panels on Government Buildings. - All government
8 
agencies, in coordination with the Department of Energy (DOE), shall install solar
9 
energy systems in their respective offices and buildings. The solar panels shall
10 
supply at least five percent (5%) of the electric power requirements of each
11 
government office or building within three (3) years from the effectivity of this Act,
12 
which shall be further increased by five percent (5%) every five (5) years thereafter.
13 
Sec. 8. Appropriations. - Such funds necessary to carry out the provisions of
14 
this Act shall be Included under the appropriations of the De^partment of Energy
15 
(DOE) in the annual General Appropriations Act.
16 
Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Energy
17 
(DOE), National Renewable Energy Board (NREB), Energy Regulatory Commission
18 
(ERC), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), In consultation with
19 
the concerned stakeholders h the electric power and renewcible energy industry
20 
shall jointly promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act within
21 
ninety (90) days of Its effectivity.
22 
Sec. 10. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act shall be
23 
declared unconstitutional and invalid, such declaration shall not invalidai:e other
24 
parts thereof which shall remain in full force and effect.
25 
Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders,
26 
proclamations, rules and regulations, or their parts thereof, which are inconsistent
27 
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified
28 
accordingly.
29 
Sec. 12. Effectivity Clause. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
30 
its publication in the Official Gazette or In a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,