DOE Cuts Red Tape to Accelerate Rooftop Solar Adoption

Homeowners and businesses looking to install rooftop solar systems can now expect a faster and simpler process following the Department of Energy’s (DOE) issuance of Department Circular No. DC2026-08-0017, a policy aimed at removing regulatory barriers for qualified own-use solar installations.

Signed by Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin and published on August 5, 2026, the circular, titled “Policy Guidelines for Self-Generating Facility Zero-Export Solar Systems and Micro-Solar Systems for Own-Use,” establishes a streamlined framework for small-scale solar systems that generate electricity solely for the owner’s consumption.

The policy applies to:

1. Self-Generating Facility Zero-Export Solar Systems (SGF ZESS) — Solar PV systems of any capacity that do not export electricity to the distribution grid.

   
   

2. MicroSolar Systems (MSS) — Plug-and-play systems with up to 1 kilowatt (kW) DC of solar capacity and 0.8 kW AC grid-tied microinverters equipped with anti-islanding protection.

Among the circular’s most significant reforms is the removal of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Certificate of Compliance (COC) requirement for qualified SGF ZESS and MSS installations serving residential households, clinics, hospitals, and other medical facilities. The measure is expected to shorten processing times and reduce administrative requirements for eligible consumers.

The circular also outlines the responsibilities of Distribution Utilities (DUs) in accommodating these installations while maintaining the safety, reliability, and stability of the distribution system. It complements the country’s Net Metering Program but specifically covers own-use, zero-export solar systems that are not designed to export excess electricity to the grid.

However, larger grid-connected SGF ZESS installations that are not covered by the exemption must still comply with existing regulatory requirements, including notifying the host DU, securing the necessary building permit, and obtaining an ERC COC, where applicable.

According to the DOE, the policy is expected to encourage wider adoption of renewable energy by making rooftop solar more accessible while upholding technical and safety standards.