A Hidden Asset, Not a Problem

A recent groundbreaking study has brought a startling fact to light: more than half of Iloilo City’s solar power capacity is “invisible.” While this might initially sound like a regulatory failure, it is, in fact, the opposite. It is a testament to a powerful, citizen-led energy movement that our city should capitalize on, not penalize. It is a clear signal that our real challenge is not a lack of compliance, but a lack of ambition.

The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), using a new tool powered by machine learning and satellite imagery called SPECTRUM, revealed that Iloilo City has a total of 8.7 megawatts (MW) of rooftop solar installations. However, only 3.91 MW are officially registered. The remaining 4.79 MW—over 55% of our city’s solar capacity—operates “behind-the-meter,” uncounted in any official tally.

Before we rush to condemn these unregistered systems, let us recognize them for what they are: a hidden asset. This 4.79 MW is already silently contributing to a greener Iloilo, reducing our collective carbon footprint and lessening the strain on our energy grid every single day. The Ilonggos who installed these panels are pioneers. They are taking tangible action, often driven by a desire for energy independence and relief from volatile electricity costs. They should be celebrated as partners in our city’s development.

The data proves that Iloilo is already a national leader in solar adoption, ranking 8th for residential and 10th for commercial installations nationwide. We are not lagging; we are leading from the grassroots.

For years, our energy planning has been based on incomplete data. Now, the SPECTRUM tool gives us a clear-eyed view of our reality. As Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella noted at the tool’s launch, “Metrics are essential – they serve as our compass.” This data-driven approach is the very essence of a “Smart City,” an ambition Iloilo City has long pursued through initiatives in digital governance and infrastructure. True smart governance, however, goes beyond surface-level tech; it uses precise data to inform its most critical strategies, and energy is paramount. SPECTRUM hands us this capability on a silver platter.

This brings us to the most crucial point. The registration gap, while important, pales in comparison to the vastness of our untapped potential. The report estimates that Iloilo City has over 1,145 hectares of total rooftop area. Currently, a mere 6.2 hectares—just 0.54%—are covered by solar panels.

This is the real conversation we need to have. The problem isn’t the unregistered 4.79 MW; it is the immense, unharnessed capacity of the other 99.46% of our city’s rooftops. Imagine the economic revolution if we set an ambitious goal to cover just 5% of this area. It would translate to tens of thousands of households and businesses slashing their monthly power bills, a surge in green jobs for installation and maintenance, and a significant boost to our energy security, making our city more attractive to investors. This would be a concrete step toward fulfilling the goals of the Philippine Energy Plan, which targets a 35% renewable energy share by 2030.

The path forward is clear. It is time to merge these insights into a unified, ambitious strategy.

First, the Iloilo City Government must formally embrace the data from SPECTRUM, integrating it into our Local Climate Change Action Plan and zoning ordinances to guide future development with precision.

Second, instead of focusing on penalties, let us welcome our unregistered solar pioneers into the fold. The city should work with the DOE and our distribution utility to launch an information campaign and an amnesty program with a simplified, streamlined registration process. Let’s formalize this hidden asset and count it towards our official renewable energy goals.

Finally, and most importantly, we must think bigger. Our city leadership should set a bold, concrete target for rooftop solar adoption by 2030 and back it with meaningful local incentives, such as property tax rebates for buildings with solar installations. Let’s transform our rooftops from passive shelters into active power plants.

The data is in, and the opportunity is clear. Iloilo City is not just a city with a registration problem; it is a burgeoning solar leader with a powerful grassroots movement and a near-limitless horizon for growth. It is time to harness this potential and claim our title as the true Solar Capital of the Visayas.