Who Can Apply for Net Metering in the Philippines

Any solar customer with a system of 100kW or below — covering 100% of residential and small commercial installations — is eligible for net metering under the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 (RA 9513). Additional requirements:

  • Your solar system is within your distribution utility's franchise area
  • System is properly permitted and installed by a licensed electrical engineer
  • Your account must be in good standing with your distribution utility
  • System must be commissioned and operational before applying

Required Documents

Complete Document Checklist

Completed Net Metering Application Form (from your utility's website or office)
As-built single-line diagram of your solar system — signed and sealed by a licensed electrical engineer (REE/PEE)
LGU Electrical Permit (from your Local Government Unit)
LGU Building Permit (required for structural roof penetrations)
PEC Compliance Certificate from your installer's licensed electrical engineer
Latest electricity bill (account number, current meter number)
Government-issued ID of the account holder
Installation photos: panels on roof, inverter installation, metering point, indoor wiring

Common mistake: Submitting an incomplete document set is the single biggest cause of application delays. Missing even one document (often the sealed single-line diagram or building permit) resets your queue position. Submit a complete package the first time.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1

Complete Your Solar Installation

Net metering can only be applied for after the system is fully installed and commissioned. Your installer provides all required technical documents — sealed diagrams, PEC certificates, and installation photos.

2

Download & Fill Out the Application Form

Get the form from your utility's official website or office. For Meralco: download from meralco.com.ph, Renewable Energy section. For VECO: visit the VECO main office on Radford St, Cebu City. Fill in your account info, system capacity, and installer details.

3

Submit Your Complete Document Package

Meralco has a dedicated Renewable Energy Section (RES) in their Ortigas main office and accepts drop-offs at major Business Centers. VECO accepts applications at their main office. Some utilities now accept email submissions — verify with your utility first. Keep originals; submit certified true copies.

4

Technical Assessment & Bidirectional Meter Installation

After your documents pass review, your utility schedules a technical inspection of your installation. If the system passes, they install a bidirectional (net) meter at their cost. This meter records both consumption from the grid and exports to the grid. Scheduling typically takes 4–8 weeks.

5

Sign Interconnection Agreement & Go Live

You sign the Interconnection Agreement — a standard document defining the terms of your solar export. Net metering credits begin appearing on your next billing cycle after meter installation and agreement signing. Your bill will now show net kWh consumption.

Meralco vs VECO vs CEPALCO: Key Differences

Metro Manila

Meralco

Has a dedicated RES department. Processing time: 2–3 months. Accepts email pre-submission for document review. Most efficient of the major utilities.

Cebu City & Metro

VECO

Main office on Radford St, Cebu City. Processing time: 2–4 months. Smaller team but covers less volume than Meralco. SolarStream coordinates directly with VECO for Cebu customers.

Cagayan de Oro

CEPALCO

Northern Mindanao's distribution utility. Processing time: 2–4 months. Strong track record of processing net metering applications for commercial and residential systems.

Provincial Areas

Rural Electric Cooperatives

Processing times vary widely — from 2 months up to 6+ months in backlogged cooperatives. Smaller cooperatives may have less experience with net metering; your installer's relationship with the local EC matters.

Why Net Metering Applications Get Delayed

  • Incomplete document submission: Missing the sealed single-line diagram or building permit are the most common reasons for rejection at intake.
  • Technical drawing errors: The single-line diagram must match the installed system exactly — discrepancies in amperage ratings or breaker specs get flagged.
  • Installer without PEC credentials: The electrical engineer signing the PEC certificate must be a licensed REE or PEE. Unlicensed signatories get rejected.
  • System capacity exceeds 100kW: Applications for systems above 100kW require a different approval process under ERC — make sure your system is within the limit.
  • Backlog at the utility: Some periods (especially post-typhoon season, when many new installs happen) create significant queue backlogs. There's no shortcut for this — plan accordingly.

Important: Your solar system is generating and saving you money throughout the entire application process — even before net metering is approved. The application is the bonus; the savings are already happening.

SolarStream Handles the Entire Application For You

As part of every SolarStream installation, we manage the complete net metering application process — from preparing and sealing the technical documents to coordinating scheduling with your utility's inspection team. You don't visit the utility office. You don't chase paperwork. You just wait for the approval notice.

For Cebu and Visayas customers, we work directly with VECO and the relevant electric cooperatives — relationships we've built through multiple completed installations.

We Handle Your Net Metering Application

SolarStream manages the complete process — documents, submission, utility coordination — as part of every installation. No extra charge.

Talk to Our Team