DOE Speeds Up Net Metering Approval to Boost Solar Adoption

In a move to ease electricity costs and accelerate the shift to renewable energy, the Department of Energy (DOE) has shortened the approval time for net metering applications to just 10 working days.

The policy, introduced amid ongoing energy challenges, directs distribution utilities and electric cooperatives to fast-track application processing—cutting the previous timeline in half. Local government units (LGUs) are also required to act on related permits within three working days, significantly reducing bureaucratic delays.

The streamlined process is expected to encourage more households and businesses to invest in rooftop solar systems. Under net metering, consumers can export excess electricity to the grid in exchange for bill credits, making solar energy more practical and financially appealing.

Energy officials stressed that reducing red tape is key to empowering Filipinos to take greater control of their energy use and savings. With fewer requirements and faster approvals, the initiative makes solar power more accessible amid rising electricity costs and growing energy security concerns.

With these reforms in place, the DOE anticipates a surge in solar installations nationwide—bringing the country closer to a more sustainable, reliable, and cost-efficient energy future.