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Solar Calculator Philippines 🇵🇭

Enter your Meralco bill and region — get solar system size, monthly savings in pesos, net metering credit, and full payback analysis. Updated for 2026 rates.

Your home details
₱
sqm
kW
Solar system for your home
10 panels (5.5kW) — ₱6,612/month savings
System size5.5kW (10 × 550W panels)
Roof area required28 sqm ✓ fits
Annual solar production7,709 kWh/yr
Your annual consumption4,776 kWh/yr
Monthly savings₱6,612/mo
Annual savings₱79,339/yr
Total system cost₱357,500
Payback period4.5 years
25-year net savings₱3,166,233
Based on Meralco rate ₱13.82/kWh (March 2026). Non-Meralco DUs (VECO, DLPC, etc.) have different rates. Net metering export credit ~₱5/kWh. 5% annual rate escalation assumed for 25-year projection.
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How to Use This Calculator

Enter your monthly Meralco bill and region

Enter your average monthly electricity bill in Philippine Pesos. The calculator uses the current Meralco rate of ₱13.82/kWh (March 2026) to estimate your monthly consumption. If you are with a non-Meralco distribution utility (VECO in Cebu, DLPC in Davao, etc.), the rate may differ slightly — enter your bill amount and the results will still be directionally accurate. Select your region for accurate peak sun hours, which vary from 4.5 PSH in Metro Manila to 4.8 PSH in Cebu.

Enter system size and roof area

Enter your desired system size in kW. The calculator tells you how many 550W panels are needed and how much roof space they require. As a guide: a 5kW system needs about 28 sqm of usable roof space. Usable space excludes shaded areas, roof edges (required setbacks), and space occupied by water tanks or aircon outdoor units. South-facing and east-facing roofs are both excellent in the Philippines due to the high sun angle year-round.

Enable net metering

Net metering is free to register and highly recommended for all grid-connected solar systems in the Philippines. Under Republic Act 9513 (Renewable Energy Act), your distribution utility is required to accept your net metering application. Excess solar exported to the grid earns you credits at the weighted average cost of power (~₱5/kWh), which offset future bills. Without net metering, daytime excess solar is wasted unless your home uses it directly.

The Formula

Monthly Usage (kWh) = Monthly Bill ÷ Meralco Rate (₱13.82/kWh) Panels = System kW × 1000 ÷ 550W (round up) Annual Solar Production = System kW × 1000 × PSH × 365 × 0.80 ÷ 1000 Self-Consumed kWh = Annual Production × 60% (daytime usage) Monthly Savings = (Self-Consumed kWh ÷ 12) × ₱13.82 + Export Credits System Cost = System kW × ₱65,000/kW (installed) Payback = System Cost ÷ Annual Savings 25-yr Savings: annuity with 0.5% degradation & 5% annual rate escalation

The calculation uses 60% self-consumption as the default — typical for Philippine homes where residents are at home during part of the day. Air conditioning running during peak solar hours (10am-3pm) significantly increases self-consumption. The 5% annual electricity rate escalation reflects the historical trend of Meralco generation charge increases. System cost of ₱65,000/kW is typical for Tier 1 panels with professional installation in 2026.

Example

The Santos family — ₱5,500/month Meralco bill, 5kW system in Cebu

The Santos family pays ₱5,500/month for electricity in Cebu. They have a medium-sized home with 40 sqm of usable south-facing roof space. They want to know if a 5kW solar system makes sense.

Monthly bill₱5,500/mo (Cebu)
RegionCebu (4.8 PSH)
Roof available40 sqm
System size5kW (10 × 550W panels)

Result

Panels needed10 × 550W panels (28 sqm)
Annual solar production~7,665 kWh/yr
Monthly savings~₱3,800/mo
System cost~₱325,000
Payback period~7.1 years
25-year net savings~₱1,800,000

The Santos family reduces their monthly Meralco bill from ₱5,500 to about ₱1,700 and saves ₱1.8 million over 25 years — a return of roughly 5.5x their initial investment. With Meralco rates historically increasing 4-7% per year, these savings will grow over time. The 10 panels fit comfortably in their 40 sqm roof space, leaving room for a future battery expansion.

FAQ

Solar installation costs in the Philippines in 2026 range from ₱55,000-80,000 per kW for quality systems with Tier 1 panels and professional installation. A 5kW system costs approximately ₱275,000-400,000 all-in (panels, inverter, mounting, wiring, permits, and installation labor). On-grid systems with net metering are more common and less expensive than off-grid systems. Prices have dropped 40-50% over the past 5 years, making solar increasingly affordable for middle-income Filipino households.
Philippine net metering is governed by Republic Act 9513 and DOE Department Circular 2012. Here is how it works: (1) Your solar system generates electricity. (2) What you use directly reduces your Meralco consumption. (3) Excess electricity flows back to the grid — your meter runs backwards (or a smart meter records the export). (4) At month-end, your bill reflects net consumption. If you export more than you use, the credit rolls over to future months. Your distribution utility (DU) is legally required to accept net metering applications for systems up to 100kW. The process typically takes 1-3 months for approval and meter installation.
Yes — with proper installation. Modern solar panels are rated for wind resistance up to 2,400 Pa (equivalent to ~220 kph wind gusts), which exceeds most Philippine typhoon conditions. Key precautions: (1) Use certified mounting hardware rated for typhoon-prone regions. (2) Ensure your installer follows PSEE (Philippine Society of Electrical Engineers) standards and local building codes. (3) Include solar system damage in your home insurance policy — most major Philippine insurers now offer solar coverage. (4) In extreme typhoon zones (eastern Visayas, Bicol Region), consult with your installer about additional mounting reinforcements. Post-Haiyan solar installation standards have significantly improved.
Quality solar panels installed in the Philippines carry a 25-year performance warranty from manufacturers, guaranteeing at least 80% of original output after 25 years. The annual degradation rate is about 0.5%/year. Inverters typically last 10-15 years and may need replacement once during the panel lifetime — budget ₱30,000-80,000 for inverter replacement at year 12-15. Mounting structures, if hot-dip galvanized, will last 25+ years. The humid, salt-air Philippine climate is harder on electronics than dry climates, so quality components (IP65 rated junction boxes, marine-grade wiring) are important for coastal installations.
Not necessarily — on-grid solar with net metering works well without a battery in most Philippine areas. Without a battery, your solar generates during the day, you use what you need, and export the rest to the grid for a credit. At night, you use grid power and draw down your net metering credits. A battery becomes valuable if: (1) You experience frequent brownouts — battery provides backup during outages. (2) Your DU has slow net metering approval or subtracts transmission charges on exports. (3) You want to maximize self-consumption for higher savings. Battery prices in the Philippines range from ₱80,000-200,000 for a 10kWh LiFePO4 system, adding 2-4 years to payback but providing outage resilience.

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  width="100%" height="620" frameborder="0"
  title="Solar Calculator Philippines"></iframe>