ERC amends net-metering program rules

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has amended the rules on Net-Metering Program for Renewable Energy to ease adoption of renewable energy for end-users.

In a statement released Tuesday, the ERC said it issued on August 27, 2025, Resolution No. 15, Series of 2025, introducing key amendments aimed at strengthening consumer protection and simplifying processes for availing of the program.

The power industry regulator said the amendments to the net-metering program were done “following a series of public consultations and careful review of stakeholders’ inputs.”

Net-metering allows customers of distribution utilities to install an on-site renewable energy facility (such as solar panels) not exceeding 100 kilowatts (kW) in capacity so they can generate electricity for their own use.

Meanwhile, electricity generated that is not consumed by the customer is automatically exported to the utility’s distribution system.

The distribution utility then gives a peso credit - equivalent to its retail rate - for the excess electricity it receives and deducts the credits earned to the customer’s electric bill, which in turn will be used to reduce the bill.

The ERC said that one of the key amendments “permits the banking and rollover of net-metering credits toward a qualified end-user’s (QE) electricity usage across current and future billing periods.”

“In the event of a property ownership change, the credits may be transferred to the new owner, subject to conditions such as a conforme letter from the original owner,” it said.

To further promote transparency, the ERC added it now mandates distribution utilities to publish on their websites detailed information on their Net-Metering programs, including application forms, processes, and posting on a quarterly basis their hosting capacities on a per-distribution transformer basis.

“The amendments also include a revision to Section 19 of the Rules, making the installation of Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) meters voluntary,” the ERC said.

“In case of waiver of the installation of said REC meter, energy generated from the RE Resource shall be computed using the appropriate formula provided under the Rules, subject to the submission of an affidavit and waiver,” it added. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News