New Metering Updates: 5 Things To Know
For years, "Net Metering" in the Philippines has been a test of patience. It promised savings but delivered a mountain of paperwork. You would install a solar system in two days, then wait six months for the electric coop to change your meter.
In late 2024 and entering 2025, that script is finally flipping.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has rolled out significant amendments to the Net Metering Rules (Resolution No. 15, Series of 2023/2025 implementation). These aren't just minor tweaks; they are practical changes that directly affect your wallet and your timeline.
If you are planning to go solar or already have a system waiting for approval, here are the 5 critical updates you need to know.
1. "Banking" Credits Is Now Indefinite (and Transferable)
The old fear was that your accumulated Net Metering credits might "expire" or get stuck in limbo if you didn't use them.
The Update:
The ERC has explicitly clarified that Net Metering credits must be banked and rolled over to qualified end-users' future bills indefinitely. There is no "use it or lose it" deadline at the end of the year.
Even bigger news is Transferability.
Previously, if you sold your house, your accumulated credits often vanished because the account name changed. Under the new rules, if you sell your property, you can transfer those credits to the new owner. You just need a "conforme" letter (a formal agreement) between you and the new owner.
What This Means For You:
This turns your solar credits into a tangible asset attached to your home, slightly increasing your property value. It effectively treats your excess energy like a bank account that stays with the house.
For a deeper look at how these computations work, read our breakdown of net metering credits and savings.
2. The "Red Tape" Has Been Slashed
Historically, applying for Net Metering required roughly 12 to 15 different documents, varying wildly depending on whether you were dealing with Meralco, VECO, or a rural electric coop. Some LGUs required permits that didn't even make sense for a small rooftop setup.
The Update:
The ERC is standardizing the process across all Distribution Utilities (DUs). The new mandate reduces the requirements to just 3 or 4 essential documents.
Standardized: The "Certificate of Final Electrical Inspection" (CFEI) from the LGU is still key, but the peripheral paperwork (like redundant tax declarations or arbitrary barangay permits for the meter specifically) is being trimmed.
No COC Wait: Perhaps the biggest bottleneck was waiting for the ERC to issue a "Certificate of Compliance" (COC) before the utility would flip the switch. The new rules allow DUs to implement the agreement without waiting for the physical COC paper, provided the technical standards are met.
If you are currently stuck in permit purgatory, check our guide on navigating solar permitting requirements.
3. The REC Meter Is Now Voluntary
In the past, a Net Metering installation required two new meters:
Bi-directional Meter: Measures import vs. export.
REC (Renewable Energy Certificate) Meter: A separate meter just to measure total solar production for government statistics.
The Update:
The installation of the REC Meter is now voluntary for the homeowner.
Why This Matters:
The REC meter cost the homeowner roughly PHP 8,000 PHP - 12,000, plus the cost of the meter socket and extra wiring labor. By making this optional, the ERC effectively lowered the installed cost of a grid-tie system by PHP5,000.
The Trade-off: If you opt out, your total generation is estimated using a formula rather than measured precisely. For 99% of residential owners, this doesn't matter because you get paid based on export (measured by the main bi-directional meter), not total generation.
4. The 100kW Cap Is Still There (But "Zero Export" Is Growing)
There was a lot of noise in the Senate about raising the Net Metering cap from 100kW to 1MW to allow factories and malls to participate.
The Reality:
As of 2025, the 100kW cap remains for the Net Metering program specifically. The ERC and DUs argue that lifting this without major grid upgrades would cause instability (voltage fluctuations).
However, this doesn't mean large systems can't connect. They just can't use the "Net Metering" program.
Above 100kW: You fall under the Distributed Energy Resources (DER) rules or must use a Zero Export solution.
Zero Export: You generate power for your own use but a device prevents any excess from hitting the grid. You don't get paid for excess, but you also don't need the same level of grid impact study.
If you are a business owner looking at a system larger than 100kW, read our overview of Zero Export solutions.
5. The "Export Price" Fluctuates (It's Not 1:1)
This is the most common misconception we still see in 2025. Homeowners assume that if they buy electricity at PHP 13, they can sell it back at PHP 13/kWh
The Reality:
Net Metering compensates you at the "Blended Generation Charge."
You Buy At: Generation + Transmission + Distribution + Taxes PHP 12 to 14.
You Sell At: Generation Charge only PHP 6 to 8.
In 2025, generation charges have been volatile due to WESM (Wholesale Electricity Spot Market) prices and currency fluctuation.
Example: In November 2025, Meralco's generation charge hovered around PHP 7.90/kWh.
The Math: If you export 100/ kWh, you get a credit of roughly PHP 790, not PHP 1,300.
This "lower" export rate is why we always recommend sizing your system to self-consume first, rather than aiming to sell everything back.
For a specific walkthrough of how to apply with the country's largest utility, see our Meralco Net Metering Guide.
What Should You Do Now?
These updates remove the biggest friction points—cost and delay. The removal of the mandatory REC meter keeps money in your pocket, and the indefinite banking of credits secures your long-term ROI.
However, the process is still technical. You still need a Distribution Impact Study (DIS) (though often free for small residential setups now) to ensure your transformer can handle the load.