For those who don't know Meralco is demanding tighter regulation on Solar panel installation, here’s the link:
https://bilyonaryo.com/2026/05/03/meralco-urges-crackdown-on-guerilla-solar-setups-tighter-rules/power/
Meralco is urging the government to impose stricter regulations on so-called “guerilla” solar setups, citing safety concerns. At first glance, that sounds reasonable. Of course safety matters. But here’s the problem:
Solar installations in the Philippines are already regulated. There are permits, inspections, and multiple layers of approval just to get net metering. It’s not like people can just plug panels into the grid without requirements. The process already takes time, costs money, and involves a lot of paperwork. Here's a link from a solar panel installation company: https://solaric.com.ph/blog/permits-solar-installation-philippines/
So adding even more restrictions doesn’t just “improve safety.” It increases costs, adds delays, and makes solar less accessible to ordinary people. In short Meralco want to bury the consumer in requirements to deter them from installing solar panels.
And let’s be hones, people aren’t turning to solar for fun. Electricity is just expensive. Many households are just trying to lower their monthly bills and reduce dependence on rising rates.
Now let me tell you about the safety hazard that Meralco ignores.
Last year in our area , we had a fire caused by tangled, overloaded wires, what people casually call “spaghetti wires,” but honestly, they’re closer to firetrap wiring. These are not just some made up problems. They’re visible in many places: wires that are so low that you it touch your head, in shorts sagging electric wires that is a hazard for pedestrian, and home owners.
And after that fire? It wasn’t Meralco that came in and fixed everything. The affected residents were the ones who had to deal with the burned wires. We literally have to change the wires ourselves because Meralco won't do it.
So if safety is really the priority, then Meralco should fix its own problems first. Before pushing for regulations in other industry.
Why push stricter control on solar, which is something people are using to cope with high electricity costs, while existing problems, that Meralco knows for decades, remains unresolved?
This is why people are skeptical. Because more regulation doesn’t always mean better safety. Sometimes it just means more red tape, higher costs, and fewer options for consumers.
People aren’t the enemy here. They’re just trying to manage expensive electricity and find alternatives.
If safety is truly the goal, then start with the risks that are already there.
Fix the existing hazards first. Then talk about regulating solar.