Green energy advocacy groups, communities, and multisectoral representatives on Tuesday launched an ambitious initiative urging for the massive implementation of distributed renewable energy across the country to address rising costs of electricity and other power woes.

Launched at a “Summit for Clean and Affordable Renewable Energy” in Novotel Quezon City, the 10 Million Solar Rooftop Challenge invites businesses, government bodies, organizations, schools, establishments, Churches, offices, individuals, households, and agencies to contribute to or push for putting up ten million solar rooftops in the country through multi-sectoral advocacy and cooperation. With an estimated capacity of 1kW per solar rooftop, the challenge could result in at least 10 GW of clean energy all directly accessible to households and communities – amounting to over one-third of all capacity installed in the country today.

“The Philippines has an abundant potential for renewable energy, as much as 91 GW of which comes from solar rooftops alone. Already, many communities and organizations are striving to be able to harness the power of the sun and save on electricity costs against higher priced fossil fuel-based power generation. This Challenge places a spotlight on these citizen actions, while seeking our national authorities’ urgent response to the hope of Filipinos for more affordable and reliable electricity,” said Avril De Torres, Deputy Executive Director of sustainability think-tank Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED).

The challenge is launched just as the country’s biggest distribution utility, the Manila Electric Company, announced a rate hike of over Php 2/kWh for the month of July from pass-through fossil fuel and spot market costs, resulting in an increase of Php 430 for a household consuming 200 kWh. 

Solar rooftops, meanwhile, offer opportunities to incur savings, with a 1 kW solar rooftop system estimated to result in annual household savings of about P16,800.

“Our dependence on coal and gas to this date weighs heavily both on the pockets of consumers, and on the ailing health of our environment and climate. No one should ignore it when there is opportunity to empower Filipinos in uplifting themselves from economic burdens of high electricity rates, while helping address today’s ecological crisis. It is for this reason that we are championing the 10 Million Solar Rooftops Challenge, and we invite everyone to do the same,” said Bishop Gerry Alminaza, Vice President of Caritas Philippines.

The launch is organized by a national consortium of groups including Caritas Philippines, the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED), Power for People Coalition (P4P), Reboot Philippines, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), Ateneo de Davao University – CREATE, Agropolis USTP, Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology (CREST), Quezon for Environment, Mindanao Renewable Energy R&D Center (MREC), WWF-Philippines, Konsyumer, Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP), ICLEI Southeast Asia, Youth for Climate Hope, SAVE PH, FCCAI, CMSP-JPICC and many others.

“Renewable energy enables communities to own, manage, and benefit from having clean energy sources. Solar rooftops offer this opportunity. We join in the belief that it is a movement of Filipinos of all walks of life that can bring about the ambitious yet just renewable energy shift we need at a time of a climate crisis, and in moving forward to a renewable energy future,” said Rei Panaligan, President of the Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology.

“The launch of the 10 Million Solar Rooftops Challenge marks a pivotal moment in our nation’s pursuit of energy independence, environmental stewardship, and economic resilience. The Philippines has vast opportunities for RE. Our location provides ample sunlight for solar power. Lower solar PV costs and bank financing programs have made renewable energy more accessible for businesses, local governments, and homeowners. Our goal of 10 GW will decentralize power structures, boost economic growth, and protect the environment. With your support, we can make this vision a reality and set a global example,” said Senator Loren Legarda, co-author of the Renewable Energy Law of 2008, in a message of support.

Support for the challenge can be made by either pledging or registering a solar rooftop installation initiative, or through endorsing the challenge and raising awareness on the benefits of renewable energy. 

“Our actions in the next few years will be critical in helping us achieve our energy and climate targets. With rooftop solar being the most affordable and easy-to-install technology that can give energy users clean and reliable power, now is the time for all stakeholders to come together and commit to really accelerating distributed solar as this campaign needs all hands on deck,” said Brenda Valerio, Philippines Country Director of New Energy Nexus.