EXPLAINER: Is going solar affordable now?

Electricity prices in the Philippines keep skyrocketing for all sorts of reasons beyond the control of ordinary Filipino consumers. Volatile price changes have led to a surge in demand for solar installation , with the Philippines becoming the largest market for solar panels after the Netherlands in 2026. It’s clear that more and more Filipinos are recognizing that rooftop solar is the path forward for anyone who fears mounting electricity bills and frequent power outages. Must Read [Vantage Point] How our rooftop becomes a hedge against Meralco But the main question for anyone considering switching to solar is this: Can an ordinary Filipino household really afford it? Solar panel prices have been falling dramatically over the past 15 years, making it the world’s “ cheapest electricity in history ” since 2020, according to the International Energy Agency.

In the Philippines, estimates for how much a full solar setup can cost differ depending on the energy capacity, equipment used, and where the equipment is sourced. One such estimate from Let’s Go Renewable , a Philippine advocacy platform campaign for more affordable solar energy, said that a basic solar system for a typical Filipino household may range from P80,000 to P200,000, while larger systems for bigger homes can exceed P500,000. Aside from lower prices, financing options have come a long way in the last year when it comes to easing the burden on a Filipino household’s monthly expenses. “When [the government’s rooftop solar program] was first rolled out [in 2014 or 2015], households that wanted to put up solar panels really had to have enough cash saved to pay for the panels up front,” said Mona Dimalanta, senior advisor for energy literacy and democracy at the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities…