High bills, cheap panels drive Philippine solar surge

Edwin Salas, a 46-year-old bus driver, watched as solar panels were installed on his roof, joining a rapidly growing trend in the Philippines. High electricity bills, the highest in the region, and frequent brownouts prompted his decision.

"Even if we don’t achieve a zero bill, we’ll be able to save a lot and have power even during outages," Salas told AFP. While the government aims for 35 percent renewable energy by 2030, experts say the current solar boom is a consumer-driven phenomenon.

“

Even if we don’t achieve a zero bill, we’ll be able to save a lot and have power even during outages.

"For years, rooftop solar was often framed as an environmental choice... today, it’s a practical response to financial pressure," said Brenda Valerio, country director for New Energy Nexus. The Philippines became China's second-largest buyer of solar panels in 2026, with rooftop installations nearly doubling since early 2025.

“

For years, rooftop solar was often framed as an environmental choice... today, it’s a practical response to financial pressure.

Mike de Guzman, CEO of Solaric, noted that the Middle East conflict intensified the urgency for many. "It’s like a war happened and we were a bullet factory," he said, explaining that five months of inventory sold out within weeks of the conflict's outbreak. His company still receives 60 calls daily.

Most panels are imported from China, which saw a 26 percent increase in solar cell and panel exports to Southeast Asia from January to May compared to the previous year. Despite this boom, only half a percent of the country's available roof space is equipped for solar, indicating vast potential for growth.

“

It’s like a war happened and we were a bullet factory.