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⚠️ WATCH OUT: The Reality Behind Solviva Energy (AboitizPower)

Is it just me, or is Solviva Energy’s marketing completely misleading? Here is what they advertise versus what you actually get when you talk to them:

The "Zero Down Payment" Bait-and-Switch: Their ads and text messages push a "0% down payment" promo. But as soon as you call them up to inquire? Suddenly, you are expected to pay at least 30% upfront.

Sky-High Pricing: Compare their system rates to other reputable local solar providers, and you’ll quickly notice their prices are double or even triple the market standard.

Hidden Interest Rates: They claim "0% interest" on credit card payments, but once you receive the actual written proposals and official quotations, the total numbers balloon with massive hidden interest fees.

Poor Customer Support: To make matters worse, their customer service is terrible—unresponsive and unhelpful when you ask basic questions about these discrepancies.

Do your research and shop around before signing anything with them. Don't fall for the glossy marketing claims when the actual fine print tells a completely different story! 🚨

#SolarEnergyPH #SolvivaEnergy #ConsumerBeware #SolarPhilippines #AboitizPower #ConsumerAlert

With the continuous rain and heavy cloud cover over the past few days/weeks, I’m curious to know how everyone’s systems are performing.

If you don't mind sharing:
• System Capacity: (example: 5kWp hybrid, 10kWp grid-tie, etc.)
• Average Daily Harvest Recently: (kWh/day during these rainy days vs. your usual sunny day average)

I’m currently planning to install a hybrid solar PV system and want to set realistic expectations for generation during the rainy season.

Prior to solar, we only consume less than 300kwh. Despite that we still decided to have PV system installed. Our house is already build with good roofing. Naka-abang na talaga in case we finally decided to have PV installed. Our house is located in a good location - south facing and no shading. Our initial plan was to go hybrid inverter with no battery and apply for net metering but we ultimately decided to go battery first. Having a battery is nice especially during brownouts. Ang liwanag ng bahay namin during brownouts and we do not have to worry about init at mga appliances na masira. Now, we decided to have 5 inverter aircon para masulit solar. Though di naman kami mahilig talaga mag-aircon. Umaga lang pag ma-araw or mga bata lang gumagamit pag gabi. Now our consumption is around 600-800kwh. Sobrang tipid ng konsumo ng aircon namin. We can open 3 aircon even 4 from 9PM until nagccharge na ulit battery and we still have 30% -40% left in the morning.

Anyway, after 2 months we finally decided to apply for net metering dahil rainy season na rin. Why? This is our future proofing and lifetime and net metering. Kahit wala na siguro kaming battery mag zero bill pa rin kami. We applied for CFEI. Kudos sa LGU namin dahil within 3 days nakuha namin CFEI. A day after submission ng electrical plan and electrical permit nagconduct na sila ng inspection. And they were very thorough buti na lang maayos ang electrical plan namin. We submitted sa DU Letter of Intent, CFEI, electrical plan, electrical permit and application form. Yan lang requirements dito sa amin. After 2 weeks nainspect kami and no findings were found. Pinabili lang kami ng meter base for the new meter and to sign and submit the Net Metering Agreement. We decided not to have a REC meter since ang layo ng electrical post namin sa main distribution panel. Honestly, this process could have been much faster kaso ang customer service/admin ng DU namin walang ginagawa and di alam ang process. After a week, nakabit na bi-directional meter namin and we are now exporting. Sobrang satisfying na may credits kami to use during rainy days lalo na ngayon plus battery during brownout.

In terms of cost, sa LGU 500 lang binayaran namin and sa DU wala kaming binayaran except for the meter base from electrical supply store namin binili. Sa ERC naman P1,500 lang. Total 5,000 lang. May nagoffer samin na maglakad ng net metering for P50,000, buti na lang I said no. Biruin mo yan from P5,000 to P50,000. The electrical plans pala galing na sa installer mismo. Kaya no additional cost na. Kung kaya nyo lakarin kayo na lang maglakad daming taga lakad dyan na sobrang over priced ng singil.

Kaya sana hindi masyadong ibash ang net metering kasi really really helpful sya and if complete requirements mas mura sya sa battery

EDIT: To those who are wondering I’m from Bicol. Dito sa amin may matrix for the payment of CFEI and electrical permit depending on the schedule of loads. It should be the same with other LGUs. I hate paying extra without any memos or basis for the calculations. No-no sa red tape. Although, in my case wala pa naman akong naexperience na humihingi ng padulas.

Nagpapakain lang kami sa inspection team and the DU personnel na pumunta dito sa amin.

Hi everyone, especially those in Cebu City who have recently installed solar.

I'm currently planning a 6kW hybrid/off-grid solar setup for my house and I'm trying to determine if a ₱150,000 materials-only budget is realistic.

I'm considering something around:

• 6kW hybrid inverter – Deye, Sungrow, SRNE, or similar
• 4–6 solar panels – preferably around 550–620W each
• ~5kWh LiFePO4 battery – around 48/51.2V 100Ah
• Basic DC/AC breakers and protection
• Cables, MC4 connectors, mounting rails, etc.
• Installation not included in the ₱150k budget

My idea is to source/buy the equipment and materials myself, then find a qualified solar installer/electrician in Cebu to do the installation.

I'm considering this approach because I've been getting quotations from installers and the overall pricing seems quite high. I understand that installation, design, permits, transportation, warranty handling, and after-sales support have value, but I'm trying to see if I can reduce the cost by sourcing the materials myself.

Consumption is 200-300kw per month.

My questions:

1. Is ₱150k realistic for the materials only for a setup like this?
2. If so, what brands/models would you recommend for the inverter and battery?
3. Would you prioritize a 6kW inverter + smaller battery and add more battery capacity later?
4. Is 4–6 panels reasonable for a 6kW hybrid inverter, or would you recommend getting more panels?
5. For those in Cebu, how much should I realistically budget for installation/labor if I already have all the equipment?
6. Are there any Cebu-based installers/electricians who are willing to install customer-supplied equipment?
7. Are there any hidden costs I should consider—permits, grounding, breakers, mounting, transport, testing/commissioning, etc.?
8. Or should i wait for sept - december, will the prices lower by this months?

I'm not trying to cut corners on safety. I just want to understand whether the current installer quotations I'm receiving are reasonable or whether sourcing the equipment separately makes more sense.

Would appreciate any advice from people who have actually installed solar in Cebu/Philippines, especially recent 2025–2026 installations.

Thanks!

as the title said meron bang pwede magreapply ng waterproofing? QC area lang kami di na kami binalikan nung installer namin 2 araw ko ng tinatawagan. kakainstall lang nung march pero baka nga ilan araw ng tumutulo lumalala lang dahil sa bagyo.

Tanong lang po sa my mga solar business po dito, any advice po if nag register din po ba kayo sa PCAB, planning to launch our solar business po kasi sa region namin kaso parang nagdadalawang isip baka kasi mahirap maka apply sa pcab since walang license electrical engr din sa team namin, thank you po sa mag advice at makaka sagot

We have a 6kWh grid tie setup. I'd like to add batteries to the system and also increase the system to 10kw. What's the best upgrade (a) change the inverter to hybrid or (b) add a 5kw off grid? Consider costs and permits.

For a 16kw setup, is it better to have one 16kw inverter or 2 inverters (10kw and 6kw)

how about for batteries? 16kw capacity

Coming from the states in Jan to start our build. Solar is a no brainer but im also probably/maybe bringing electric items that are 110.

Is that an easy thing for solar? Have a 110 section and then a 240 section?

Not worried about color coding/iding sockets. Not asking about bringing items or just buying here.

Thanks!

Edit hybrid solar system.

Meron din po ba nakaka-experience recently na Meralco DU na nagti-trip po yung breaker ng solar sa labas? Naresolve nyo na po or naitanong nyo na po kay Meralco ito? Thanks po sa inputs!

Initial set up

May kulang pa po ba or mali? Initial setup is Gridtied muna then gradually upgrade.
Inverter is 6KW Solis