Solar Questions,
Straight Answers.

A complete installed solar system in the Philippines typically costs:

• 3KW hybrid: ₱280,000–₱380,000
• 6KW hybrid with 10KWh battery: ₱450,000–₱600,000
• 10KW hybrid with 20KWh battery: ₱750,000–₱950,000
• 15KW+ hybrid or commercial: Custom quote required

All prices include the solar panels, inverter, battery (for hybrid), mounting hardware, wiring, installation, and basic permits. Net metering application is handled separately but is typically included in our service at no extra charge.

Yes. There are several financing paths in the Philippines:

• In-house installment: SolarStream offers in-house plans from 12 to 36 months, no bank required
• Bank home improvement loans: BDO, BPI, RCBC offer loans at 6–9% over 5 years
• Pag-IBIG / SSS multi-purpose loans: Can be used for solar if you qualify

On a 5-year bank loan for a 6KW system, your monthly payment is typically less than your current electricity bill — making it cash-flow positive from day one. Read our full solar financing guide →

Solar prices vary for three main reasons: component quality, system sizing, and installation standards. A quote using Tier 1 panels and a quality LiFePO4 battery from a reputable brand will legitimately cost more than a quote using no-name panels and a lead-acid battery bank.

Always ask for the exact brand and model of the inverter, panels, and battery in any quote. If a company can't tell you, that's a red flag. A ₱50,000 difference in price often means ₱150,000 of difference in expected 10-year performance.

The typical payback period in the Philippines is 3.5 to 6 years — significantly faster than most countries, because our electricity rates are high and our sun is excellent (4.5–5.5 peak sun hours daily).

After payback, you're generating electricity at effectively zero cost for the next 15–20 years. A 6KW system that saves ₱8,000/month accumulates over ₱2 million in savings over 25 years. See our full ROI breakdown →

Most homeowners see a 70–95% reduction in their monthly electricity bill. The exact amount depends on your system size relative to your consumption, your roof orientation, and how you use electricity during the day vs. at night.

Families who are home all day (WFH, retirees, stay-at-home parents) see the biggest reductions because they use solar directly as it's produced. Families who are out all day benefit most from net metering and/or battery storage to shift that production to their evening usage.

• On-grid (grid-tie): Solar + grid, no battery. Lowest cost, but shuts off during brownouts. Best for low-brownout areas focused on bill reduction.
• Hybrid: Solar + battery + grid. Powers your home during brownouts automatically. The most popular choice for Philippine homes. Recommended for anyone experiencing regular brownouts.
• Off-grid: Solar + battery only, no grid connection. For remote locations without grid access. Requires larger battery banks for multi-day autonomy.

Full comparison guide →

A rough guide based on monthly electricity bill:

• ₱2,000–₱4,000/mo: 3KW system (8–10 panels of 400–500W each)
• ₱4,000–₱10,000/mo: 5–6KW system (12–16 panels)
• ₱10,000–₱20,000/mo: 10KW system (20–25 panels)
• ₱20,000+/mo: 15–30KW, requires load assessment

The number of panels also depends on wattage per panel. Today's standard panels are 460–580W, so systems are physically smaller than they used to be. A 6KW system might be just 12 panels at 500W each.

Only hybrid and off-grid systems work during a brownout. On-grid systems shut off automatically for safety when the grid goes down — this is required by law to protect utility workers.

A hybrid system with battery switches to battery power in under 20 milliseconds when the grid fails. Your appliances won't even notice. During the day, your solar panels also keep producing and can recharge the battery even during an extended outage — as long as the sun is out.

It depends on your battery size and what you're running. A 10KWh LiFePO4 battery provides approximately 8 usable kWh. Typical Filipino home usages:

• Fridge + lights + fans + WiFi only: 12–16 hours
• Above + 1 aircon (1HP): 6–8 hours
• Above + 2 aircon units: 3–5 hours

If a brownout occurs during daylight hours and your solar is producing, the battery is simultaneously being recharged — so your effective coverage is much longer than battery-only runtime.

Lead-acid is cheaper upfront but costs significantly more over time:

• LiFePO4 lasts 3,000–6,000 cycles (8–15 years). Lead-acid lasts 300–600 cycles (2–4 years) in Philippine heat.
• LiFePO4 uses 80–100% of its capacity. Lead-acid only uses 40–50% safely.
• Lead-acid degrades faster in high temperatures — our average ambient is well above its optimal range.
• Lead-acid requires ventilation (emits hydrogen gas). LiFePO4 is safe indoors.

In 10 years, you'll replace lead-acid 2–3 times. A single LiFePO4 bank outlasts that entire period. Total cost of ownership favors LiFePO4 significantly. Full battery guide →

Net metering lets you earn bill credits when your solar generates more electricity than you use. Excess power flows back to the grid, and your meter runs backward (or records the export). At the end of the month, you only pay the net of what you imported minus what you exported.

It's not cash — it's bill credits. But for a household that exports significant power during the day while everyone's at work, those credits can effectively bring the bill to near zero. Full net metering guide →

Typically 2 to 4 months in Metro Manila and Cebu (Meralco, VECO). Rural areas with smaller distribution utilities can take 4–6 months due to backlog.

During the waiting period, your solar is still reducing your electricity consumption normally — you just won't receive export credits yet. Your solar is not "wasted" during this period; the grid simply absorbs it for free temporarily. SolarStream handles all paperwork and utility coordination as part of our service.

Yes. A legitimate solar installation requires:

• Electrical permit from your Local Government Unit (LGU)
• Building permit for structural work (most rooftop installs require this)
• PEC compliance — installation must comply with the Philippine Electrical Code
• Net metering application — if you plan to export to the grid

Be very cautious of any company that says permits aren't required. Unpermitted installations can affect your home insurance, property resale, and net metering eligibility. SolarStream handles all permits as part of every project.

Most residential installations (up to 10KW) are completed in 1 to 2 days. Larger commercial systems may take 3–5 days. The process includes:

• Day 1 morning: Roof mounting rail installation and panel placement
• Day 1 afternoon: Inverter and battery installation, DC wiring
• Day 2: AC wiring, grid connection, commissioning, monitoring app setup

The time from signed contract to installation day is typically 2–4 weeks, depending on equipment availability and permit processing in your area.

Not if installed correctly. Professional solar installation uses waterproof flashing and sealant at every roof penetration point. Done properly, these penetrations are more watertight than many original roofing connections.

Leaks after installation usually indicate improper sealing — a cut-rate job by an inexperienced installer. Always ask your installer what sealant systems they use and whether they offer a workmanship warranty covering any leaks that develop post-installation.

Quality solar panels certified to IEC 61215 are tested for static loads and wind speeds of 160–180km/h or greater. This rating is in the same class as most Philippine typhoons, including strong ones. Super typhoons (Signal 4+) can exceed this in localized wind zones, but even then, well-mounted panels on a structurally sound roof typically survive due to their low profile.

The mounting system matters as much as the panels. SolarStream uses typhoon-rated aluminum rail systems with appropriate wind load calculations for your specific location and roof type.

During a typhoon:

• If the grid is down (very common during typhoons), your hybrid or off-grid system switches to battery automatically — often your whole neighborhood is dark except your home.
• The inverter monitors grid stability and shuts off grid interaction when it detects unsafe conditions.

After a typhoon, if panels are undamaged, your system resumes normal operation automatically when the grid returns. The monitoring app will show if production is below normal — a signal to have the panels inspected for debris or damage.

Solar systems are low-maintenance by design — no moving parts, no fuel, no daily checks. What's needed:

• Panel cleaning: A rinse with water every 1–3 months during dry season. Rain does the job during monsoon season. Don't use high-pressure washers or soap.
• Monitoring: Check your app occasionally. A sudden drop in production can indicate shading from new growth, a faulty panel, or a loose connection.
• Annual check: A quick visual inspection of mounting hardware, wiring connections, and inverter status is good practice.

SolarStream installs remote monitoring on every system — we can often identify issues remotely before you notice them on your bill.

A complete solar system comes with several warranties:

• Panel product warranty: 10–12 years (manufacturing defects)
• Panel performance warranty: 25–30 years (at least 80–85% output at year 25)
• Inverter warranty: 5–10 years depending on brand
• Battery warranty: Typically 5 years / 3,000+ cycles
• Workmanship warranty: Installer-provided, typically 1–3 years on labor and installation quality

Always get all warranties in writing, with clear contact information for making claims. SolarStream provides documentation for all component warranties and offers our own workmanship warranty on every installation.

Quality monocrystalline solar panels (Tier 1 brands) have a 25–30 year design life. They don't suddenly stop working — they gradually lose efficiency, typically less than 0.5% per year. At year 25, your panels should still produce 85–90% of their original rated output.

In the Philippines, we're seeing first-generation installations from the early 2010s still performing well past their 10-year mark. The technology is mature and proven in tropical conditions.