The Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) clarified that they are “not against the adoption of renewable energy.”

According to a report by UNTV Correspondent Asher Cadapan Jr., the Energy Regulatory Board (ERC) is responsible for regulations on solar panel use and installation.

ERC Legal Service Director Atty. Maria Corazon Gines explains that if a solar panel is to be connected to the meter or distribution utility, it must first be applied to the commission. 

“Kung kakabit din nila doon sa metro o kaya doon sa distribution system, ‘yun yung kailangan talaga nilang i-apply sa amin ‘yun. Kasi baka may impact ‘yun doon sa distribution system. Pwede mag-overload yung transformer,” she explained

[“If they are going to connect it to the meter or the distribution system, they really need to apply with us. This is because it might have an impact on the distribution system. The transformer could potentially overload.”]

However, if the solar panel is connected directly to the appliances, the commission no longer intervenes.

“Meron yung mga solar panels kasi na pwedeng direkta doon sa mga appliances. Kusto kami,hindi na namin masyadong pinakikialaman yun. Kasi direkta naman yun, risk na rin naman nila,” she said

[“There are solar panels that can be linked directly to appliances. In those cases, we do not interfere. Since it is a direct connection, the risk falls on the user.”]

With reports from Asher Cadapan Jr.