How much does solar panel installation cost in the Philippines?

Solar panel installation in the Philippines costs ₱50,000-80,000 per kW. A 3kW system (small home) costs ₱150,000-250,000, a 5kW system (medium home) costs ₱250,000-400,000, and a 10kW system (large home) costs ₱500,000-800,000.

How long does it take to recover the cost of solar panels in the Philippines?

The typical payback period for solar panels in the Philippines is 4-7 years, depending on your electricity consumption, system size, and whether you have net metering. After the payback period, you enjoy essentially free electricity for the remaining 20+ year lifespan of the panels.

What is net metering in the Philippines?

Net metering is a policy that allows you to sell excess solar electricity back to the grid. When your panels produce more power than you use, the excess goes to the grid and offsets your bill. In the Philippines, net metering is available through your local distribution utility (Meralco, etc.).

How much can I save with solar panels in the Philippines?

Most homeowners save 50-90% on their monthly electricity bills with solar. A 5kW system can save ₱5,000-15,000 per month depending on usage. Annual savings typically range from ₱60,000-180,000.

Do solar panels work during cloudy days or rainy season in the Philippines?

Yes, solar panels still work during cloudy days and rainy season, but at reduced efficiency (10-25% of normal output). The Philippines averages 4-5 peak sun hours daily year-round, making it well-suited for solar despite seasonal variations.

What size solar panel system do I need for my home in the Philippines?

System size depends on your electricity consumption. Check your Meralco bill for kWh usage. For every 150-200 kWh monthly consumption, you need approximately 1kW of solar panels. A typical Filipino household with ₱5,000-8,000 monthly bill needs a 3-5kW system.

Solar

Solar Installation Cost Philippines 2025

Complete guide to solar panel costs, savings, and return on investment

12 min read•Updated December 2024

Quick Price Guide

3kW System (Small Home)

₱150,000 - ₱250,000

5kW System (Medium Home)

₱250,000 - ₱400,000

10kW System (Large Home)

₱450,000 - ₱700,000

Typical Payback Period

4-7 years

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Types of Solar Systems

Grid-Tied

Most Common

Connected to utility grid. Uses solar during day, grid at night. Excess power exported via net metering.

Typical Cost

₱45,000-60,000/kW

Lowest upfront cost
Net metering credits
No power during outages

Hybrid

Popular

Grid-connected with battery backup. Uses stored power during outages and at night.

Typical Cost

₱70,000-100,000/kW

Backup power available
Use solar at night
Battery replacement needed

Off-Grid

Completely independent from grid. All power from solar + battery storage.

Typical Cost

₱100,000-150,000/kW

Complete independence
Best for remote areas
Highest upfront cost

Cost Breakdown

Here's where your money goes in a typical grid-tied solar installation:

Component	% of Cost	5kW System
Solar Panels	45-55%	₱120,000-180,000
Inverter	20-25%	₱50,000-80,000
Mounting & Racking	8-12%	₱25,000-40,000
Wiring & Accessories	5-8%	₱15,000-25,000
Installation Labor	10-15%	₱30,000-50,000
TOTAL	100%	₱250,000-400,000

Battery Costs (for Hybrid Systems)

Lead-acid batteries

5-8 year lifespan

₱15,000-25,000/kWh

Lithium (LiFePO4)

10-15 year lifespan

₱35,000-50,000/kWh

Typical hybrid system battery bank (5-10kWh)

Added to system cost

₱175,000-500,000

How to Size Your System

Step 1: Check Your Electricity Bill

Look at your monthly kWh consumption. Typical Filipino household usage:

Small household200-400 kWh/month

Medium household400-700 kWh/month

Large household700-1,200 kWh/month

Mansion/heavy AC1,200+ kWh/month

Quick Calculator

System Size (kW) = Monthly kWh consumption ÷ 130

Example: 500 kWh/month ÷ 130 = 3.8 kW → Get a 4kW or 5kW system

Monthly Bill	kWh Usage	System Size	Approx Cost
₱2,000-4,000	200-400 kWh	2-3 kW	₱100,000-180,000
₱4,000-7,000	400-700 kWh	4-5 kW	₱200,000-350,000
₱7,000-12,000	700-1,200 kWh	6-10 kW	₱350,000-600,000
₱12,000+	1,200+ kWh	10-20 kW	₱600,000-1,200,000

Net Metering Explained

Net metering allows you to export excess solar power to the grid and receive credits on your bill.

How It Works

During the day, your solar panels generate electricity

You use what you need; excess goes to the grid

At night, you draw power from the grid

Your bill shows: Power consumed - Power exported = Net usage

Export Rate Note

In the Philippines, exported power is credited at ₱5-6/kWh vs ₱10-12/kWh for consumption. Best strategy: Use more solar during the day.

Requirements

System must be installed by accredited solar installer
Apply to your distribution utility (Meralco, etc.)
Bi-directional meter installed (usually provided by utility)
Maximum 100kW for residential

Return on Investment

Example: 5kW Grid-Tied System

System cost₱300,000

Monthly generation5 kW × 130 kWh = 650 kWh

Monthly savings650 kWh × ₱10/kWh = ₱6,500

Annual savings₱78,000

Simple payback3.8 years

Typical Payback Periods

Grid-tied (high consumption)

3-5 years

Grid-tied (moderate consumption)

5-7 years

Hybrid system

7-10 years

Solar panels last 25-30 years. After payback, you get essentially free electricity plus increased property value.

Solar Panel Brands

Tier 1 (Premium)

Best Quality

Canadian Solar₱18,000-25,000/400W

JA Solar₱17,000-23,000/400W

Longi₱18,000-24,000/400W

Trina Solar₱17,000-22,000/400W

Mid-Tier (Good Value)

Best Value

Risen₱14,000-18,000/400W

Suntech₱14,000-19,000/400W

Jinko₱15,000-20,000/400W

Inverter Brands

Premium

SMA, Fronius, SolarEdge

Mid-tier

Growatt, Goodwe, Sungrow

Hybrid Inverters

Growatt, Luxpower, Deye

Installation Process

Site assessment

Installer evaluates roof, shading, electrical

System design

Sizing, layout, equipment selection

Permits

Building permit (some LGUs), utility interconnection application

Installation

1-3 days for residential systems

Inspection

Utility inspection for net metering

Commissioning

System turned on, monitoring set up

Buying Tips

Get 3 quotes

Prices vary significantly between installers

Check credentials

Look for DOE-accredited installers

Ask about warranties

Panels: 25-year • Inverter: 5-12 years • Workmanship: 2-5 years

Don't oversize for net metering

Export rates are low - size for daytime consumption

Consider future needs

EV charging, additional AC units may increase consumption

Verify roof condition

Fix any roof issues before installation

Find Solar Installers

Solar Installers Directory

Browse verified solar contractors near you

Building Permits

Check if your LGU requires permits for solar