Manila: More households are expected to utilize renewable energy once the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) releases the rules on rooftop solar projects, likely in the third quarter, a Department of Energy (DOE) official said Wednesday. "Once ERC releases rules on rooftop solar, the investments are expected to increase," Energy Undersecretary Dr. Rowena Cristina Guevara stated in a briefing.

According to Philippines News Agency, Guevara noted that a satellite check reveals that only a small portion of buildings in the Philippines are equipped with solar rooftop power sources. "Our dream is to be like Australia," she said, highlighting the Philippines' larger population, estimated at around 118 million in 2024, compared to Australia, which had approximately 27.4 million people last year.

Guevara outlined that in Australia, applications to set up solar rooftop facilities for households number around 450,000 annually. She described rooftop solar units in Australia as akin to a large power generator.

With the anticipated release of the ERC policies on solar rooftops by the third quarter of the year, applications for their utilization are expected to increase significantly. "We have received a lot of applications. There are already those that have put up rooftop solar projects, but we are waiting for those with big capacity, those in the industrial zones," Guevara added.