More participants are seen joining the so-called net-metering program as the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) recognized the Commission on Audit (COA) a national agency champion.
Under the program, solar power users with less than 100 kilowatts peak capacity can export their excess electricity to the grid in exchange for electricity bill credits in the form of rebates.
The ERC said that from January to September 2022 alone, the COA generated savings of more than P800,000 from its rooftop solar installation.
“The COA, in partnership with the Philippine National Oil Co. Renewables Corp., installed the rooftop panels in 2017 to show support to the renewable energy drive of the government and to utilize alternative source of electricity at least cost. Five years after the installation of the solar panels, we are seeing the benefits in the savings generated. From January to September 2022 alone, we have generated total savings of more than P800,000 for both buildings. We hope that more agencies will see the benefits and be encouraged to follow in our footsteps,” said Gamaliel Cordoba, COA chairperson, in a statement.
The ERC said the initiative aligns with the thrust of promoting renewable energy, the COA being a key government agency that registered with the power consumption offset program.
At present, government offices are not mandated to adopt the net metering program although more are expected to follow suit, especially with the positive experience of agency champions like COA and other local government units.
Since the implementation of the net-metering program in 2013, a total 7,583 qualified end-users number 6,120 in Luzon, 1,168 in Visayas and 295 in Mindanao as of end-2022.
“While the program highly demonstrates potential savings in electricity cost and protection from bill shocks, actual data shows the need for more aggressive efforts to promote and implement the program in many parts of the country. With government itself leading the way in this initiative, the ERC is confident that there will be significant increase in the net metering program,” the ERC said.
