Falling solar installation costs are accelerating the growth of rooftop solar across Southeast Asia. (Photo: iStock)
Rooftop solar is scaling up rapidly in the Philippines. Supported by favorable policies, the country’s rooftop solar generation has nearly doubled over the past 12 months. A large stockpile of imported solar panels is also expected to translate into actual installations.
At the same time, rising electricity prices and falling installation costs are significantly improving project economics. Payback periods for residential rooftop systems have dropped sharply to around three years, boosting investor appeal.
How fast is rooftop solar growing in the Philippines?
Energy think tank Ember on May 28 released a new report on the Philippine rooftop solar market. Citing data from the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP), the report shows that the country added 600 MW of rooftop solar capacity over the past 12 months as of April this year.
Unlock the full article to explore three key takeaways:
- The Philippines added 600 MW of rooftop solar in the past 12 months, nearly doubling year-on-year. Solar panel imports in 2025 reached 5,068 MW—over five times current grid-connected utility-scale capacity.
- With electricity tariffs up 17% year-on-year and installation costs falling, commercial rooftop payback periods dropped to 2.3 years while residential drop to 3.1 years, crossing the threshold for mass-market adoption.
- The Philippine government's supportive policy framework remains intact. EMBER forecasts rooftop solar capacity growth within two years could match Meralco's Terra Solar project.
