Metro Manila, Philippines - At PHILERGY German Solar, our promise of delivering the highest quality German-made products and German engineering for the Filipino people includes worry-free net metering service.
But what is net metering and why is this an important aspect in getting a solar energy system for your home or business?
What is net metering?
With the pioneering legislation that is the Renewable Energy Act (RE 9513), the Philippines is one of the first countries in Asia that incentivizes the use of renewable energy. Under RE 9513, net metering allows homes and businesses with grid-tied solar systems to automatically sell excess solar energy back to the distribution utility (DU) - for example, Meralco - in exchange for peso credits on your bill. These credits can then be used at the end of each month to pay for and decrease charges on your overall electric bill.
Essentially, the net metering scheme will give you a bill equal to your consumed energy from Meralco, minus your earned peso credits from excess energy sold—lowering your bill even further!
How does net metering work?
After enrolling your solar energy system with your DU, they will replace your current, uni-directional meter and install a bi-directional meter. The bi-directional meter measures both the electricity you get from the DU (import energy), as well as the excess electricity produced by your solar energy system (export energy) that is sent back to the grid.
In compliance with the Amended Net Metering Rules, a Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) meter will also be installed to measure the gross electricity generation from the RE system. The readings from the REC meter will be used as a basis for the computation of subsidies, discounts and for compliance with the Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS). [Source]
If you don’t have the right meter installed (i.e. the standard uni-directional meter), your DU will read the excess power produced by your solar energy system as normal consumption. This means you will be billed for both the power that is supplied to your home from the grid as well as the surplus power you feed back to the grid.
Your Worry-Free Net Metering Application Process with PHILERGY German Solar
This outlines the standard process for net metering with Meralco but is subject to change depending on the engineer-in-charge, distribution utility branch, or the city hall involved. Other distribution utilities outside Manila/local cooperatives may have different procedures.
Step 1: Submitting Documents
We will fill out, request, and submit the following documents in your behalf to the responsible DU branch:
Letter of intent
Plant Parameter Form
Application for interconnection
ERC Certificate of Compliance
Supporting documents (solar layout, data sheets and certificates)
System owner’s government-issued IDs
Copy of electric bill
Copy of land title
Copy of electrical plan
Copy of proof of property ownership
Step 2: Site Visit and Distribution Impact Study (DIS)
Once the application has been submitted, a site meter visit will be scheduled by the engineer in charge and Distribution Impact Study (DIS) will be conducted.
Step 3: Difference in Meter Cost (DIMC)
The DU will be sending out a letter containing a fee amounting to the difference in cost of your existing meter and the new bi-directional net meter. This should be settled by the account holder through Meralco’s payment channels. (Pursuant to Annex A – 4 of ERC Resolution No. 5, Series of 2020)
Step 4: Service Entrance Modification, REC Meter Provision and CFEI
Required modifications for your service entrance (area where meter is located) will be requested by your DU engineer in compliance with their new standards (e.g. remodeling, circuit breaker outside the property by your electric meter), along with the provision for a REC meter. These changes will be done for a fee by your DU’s accredited contractor which PHILERGY can help find and organize. The contractor will then provide a quotation, schedule a visit, and perform these modifications for you and simultaneously apply for Certificate of Final Electrical Inspection (CFEI) in your City Hall. Documentary requirements listed on the first step should be submitted to facilitate the application.
Step 5: Contracts and ERC Certificate of Compliance
Meralco will release Fixed Asset Boundary Documents (FABD) and Net Metering Agreements for you to sign as the system owner and notarize. Once completed, the documents should be submitted back to your DU’s Business Center.
Step 5: System Testing and Net Meter Installation
Your assigned DU engineer will schedule the testing of your PHILERGY German Solar system and installation of the bi-directional meter. A Manager’s Check amounting to 1,500PHP addressed to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) should be given to the engineer-in-charge to facilitate the system commissioning process.
After this step, your solar system can already be turned 100% on without the fear of overproduction.
And once commissioned, you’re ready to sell excess energy automatically (which you’ll usually see on the next billing) and save even further!
CONTACT US FOR FREE SOLAR CONSULTATION!
PHONE: (02) 8638 8277
SMART: +63 921 373 3840
GLOBE: +63 917 329 2112
EMAIL: service@philergy.com
PHILERGY German Solar Philippines is your reliable, high quality solar energy installer, solar power system, and solar panel supplier in the Philippines with German-made solar equipment combined with experienced German Solar engineering. All installations come with up to 25 years warranty for homes and businesses, and options for flexible solar financing without collateral and additional fees. We are the nation’s top solar company with headquarters, office and showroom in Manila, Philippines with German management and German head solar engineers setting top of the line solar standards. All our solar energy systems are customized according to every client's needs via free expert solar consultation and professional onsite analysis, and are installed by trained teams that are headed by at least 1 German engineer with over 20 years of solar experience.