Ilocos norte: The province of Ilocos Norte is strengthening its local power resilience by empowering homeowners to adopt solar energy with flexible financing options, officials said Monday. Under the solar rooftop project, the provincial government has partnered with ACEN Corporation, GCash, Solaric, and the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) to promote the installation of solar rooftops and net metering.
According to Philippines News Agency, through this initiative, households will be able to install solar rooftop systems with installment plans ranging from three to 15 years. "Now is the time that we lessen our energy dependence on fossil fuel," Gov. Cecilia Araneta-Marcos said following the signing of a memorandum of agreement with project partners on Monday. Araneta-Marcos stated that the program will prioritize households consuming 4 kWh per day and above, where solar rooftop systems can deliver the most meaningful savings.
Pilot areas were selected based on population: Laoag City, Pagudpud as the host of the country's largest wind power farm, and Dingras as the main branch of INEC. Interested applicants may coordinate with local government units in Laoag, Dingras, and Pagudpud to sign up. Program partner Solaric will conduct roof inspections, and GCash will determine loan eligibility. Once approved, Solaric will install the system, which will then be connected to the grid through net metering with INEC.
Net metering allows households to send excess electricity back to the grid, earning credits that reduce their electricity bills. INEC General Manager Cipriano Martinez III acknowledged that the initiative may reduce the company's energy sales but recognized its noble purpose of encouraging responsible energy use in the renewable energy capital.
ACEN, the energy platform of the Ayala Group, will support program implementation, bringing its experience in large-scale renewable energy development, including 365 megawatts of wind power across 99 turbines in the province. Vice Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc thanked the partners and said the program, conceptualized two years ago, represents a significant advancement in the province's clean energy efforts.
"All parties have come together to spread solar for everyone. This is just a start of a great and impactful project that is felt by all," Manotoc said, expressing hope to scale up the project to benefit more residents.
