The Philippines has streamlined guidelines governing the use of micro-solar and zero-export solar systems. These PV systems no longer require certificates of compliance, while plug-and-play solar less than 1 kW in size is now exempt from building permits.
The Department of Energy (DOE) of the Philippines has agreed on updated policy guidelines for solar systems designed entirely for self-consumption.
A series of changes signed off by the department last week include the exemption of plug-and-play micro-solar systems from securing building permits or certificates of compliance. The change covers micro-systems up to 1 kW in size and micro-inverters up to 0.8 kW.
While larger zero-export solar systems will still be required to secure building permits, the update also exempts them from securing a certificate of compliance from the country’s Energy Regulatory Commission.
The changes mean consumers installing micro-solar systems or grid-connected zero-export solar systems must now only submit a standard notification form to their local distribution utility.
