Solar panel safety urged amid rising power costs

A consumer advocacy group on Thursday urged Filipino households to prioritize safety and regulatory compliance when installing rooftop solar panels, as more consumers turn to renewable energy to reduce electricity bills.

CitizenWatch Philippines said homeowners should first ensure that their solar providers are legitimate, qualified, and compliant with building and electrical safety rules before proceeding with installations.

In a statement, CitizenWatch Philippines co-convenor Orlando Oxales said lower electricity expenses are important, especially amid current economic pressures.

“consumers should never sacrifice safety for short-term savings. Unsafe installations may put homes, neighboring properties, and communities at risk,” Oxales said.

Oxales reminded consumers that rooftop solar installations are covered by existing Philippine regulations, including the National Building Code of the Philippines, the Fire Code of the Philippines, the Energy Regulatory Commission’s Net-Metering Rules, and the Philippine Electrical Code.

The group said consumers should verify that their solar provider employs licensed electrical practitioners and qualified engineers.

It said households should ensure that installations comply with the latest Philippine Electrical Code and fire safety standards.

CitizenWatch also urged consumers to check that solar panels, inverters, batteries, wiring, and other components are certified and compliant with recognized safety standards.

The group said proper electrical protection systems, including circuit breakers, grounding, and surge protection, should be required in every installation.

It also advised homeowners to confirm that the structural integrity of the roof has been assessed before solar panels are installed.

Consumers should also secure the necessary permits, inspections, and approvals from local authorities and utility providers, the group said.

CitizenWatch said households should ask for proper system documentation, warranties, and emergency shutdown procedures.

The group also warned consumers to avoid unregistered or extremely low-cost installers that may compromise safety and workmanship.

Oxales said the reminders form part of CitizenWatch Philippines’ advocacy to support policies that expand access to clean and affordable energy, including measures that strengthen the country’s renewable energy program.

“As the Philippines moves toward greater use of renewable energy, consumer safety, system reliability, and proper regulation must remain central to implementation,” he said.

“Clean energy should not only be affordable. It must also be safe, reliable, and responsibly installed,” Oxales added.

Rooftop solar systems have become an option for households seeking to manage electricity costs, particularly through net metering, which allows qualified end-users to export excess electricity from renewable energy systems to the distribution grid and receive credits on their bills.

CitizenWatch said broader adoption of clean energy should be matched with safeguards that protect homes, neighboring properties, and communities from unsafe installations.