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USA Headquarters

Colton, California

1449 Linville Lane, Colton, CA 92324

+19098217580

info@solartronicsusa.com

Mon-Fri: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM PST

Asia Pacific Office

Cebu, Philippines

EnSpace Cebu, 14th floor, Latitude Corporate Center, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City 6000, Philippines

Training & Commercial Solutions

asia@solartronicsusa.com

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions? We've got answers. Here are the most common things our customers ask before going solar.

Getting Started

Solar works on most roof types — concrete, metal/GI sheets, and tile roofs are all suitable. The key factors are available space, roof orientation (south-facing is ideal), and shading. Even partially shaded roofs can work with microinverters. During our free site assessment, we'll evaluate your roof condition, angle, and sun exposure to determine the optimal panel layout for maximum energy production.

A typical residential installation takes 1–3 days once the panels and equipment arrive on-site. The full process from initial consultation to activation usually takes 4–6 weeks, which includes site assessment (1–2 days), system design (3–5 days), permits and utility approval (2–4 weeks), installation (1–3 days), and final inspection and grid connection (3–5 days). Commercial installations may take longer depending on system size.

System costs vary based on size and type. Grid-tie systems typically cost ₱55,000–₱65,000 per kWp, hybrid systems with battery ₱70,000–₱90,000 per kWp, and off-grid systems ₱95,000–₱130,000 per kWp. A typical Filipino household spending ₱5,000/month on electricity would need a 3–4 kWp system costing roughly ₱165,000–₱260,000. Use our Savings Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Not necessarily. We offer flexible payment options including installment plans and can assist you with bank financing. Some customers also use home equity loans or credit facility programs. During your consultation, we'll discuss the payment options that work best for your budget.

Performance & Reliability

It depends on your system type. Grid-tie systems shut down during outages for safety — this is required by anti-islanding regulations to protect utility workers. Hybrid systems automatically switch to battery power within milliseconds, keeping your critical loads (lights, refrigerator, WiFi, fans) running. Off-grid systems operate independently and are not affected by grid outages at all.

Most customers see a 70–90% reduction with grid-tie systems and 80–95% with hybrid setups. Your actual savings depend on system size, electricity consumption, sun exposure, and your utility rate. In the Philippines, with average rates of ₱10–₱12/kWh, a well-sized system typically pays for itself in 4–6 years. After that, your electricity is essentially free for the remaining 20+ years of the system's life.

Yes, solar panels still generate electricity on cloudy days — typically at 25–40% of their full capacity. Even during the Philippine rainy season, your panels will produce power. This is factored into our system design calculations. Grid-tie and hybrid systems compensate by drawing from the grid or battery during low-production periods.

Solar panels are built to last 25–30+ years. They come with a 25-year performance warranty guaranteeing at least 80% output. In practice, panels degrade at only 0.5–0.7% per year, meaning after 25 years they're still producing about 85% of their original capacity. Inverters typically last 10–15 years, and batteries 10–15 years before replacement is needed.

Maintenance & Support

Solar panels are very low maintenance. The main requirement is periodic cleaning every 3–6 months to remove dust, dirt, bird droppings, and debris that can reduce efficiency. In the Philippines, we recommend more frequent cleaning during dry/dusty months. Beyond cleaning, an annual inspection of electrical connections and mounting hardware is recommended. We offer maintenance plans that cover all of this for you.

All our systems come with comprehensive warranties — 25-year panel performance warranty, 10–15 year inverter warranty, 10–15 year battery warranty, and 10-year workmanship guarantee. If any component fails within the warranty period, we handle the full replacement including parts, shipping, and labor at no cost. Our monitoring systems also detect issues proactively so we can address problems before you even notice them.

Yes. Grid-tie and hybrid systems are designed to be scalable. You can add more panels to increase production, or add batteries to an existing grid-tie system to convert it to a hybrid setup. We design systems with future expansion in mind, ensuring your inverter and wiring can handle additional capacity. Off-grid systems require more careful planning for expansion but it's still possible.

Net Metering & Regulations

Net metering is a billing arrangement where excess electricity your solar system produces is exported to the grid, and you receive credits on your electricity bill. In the Philippines, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) allows net metering for systems up to 100 kWp. Your utility company (MERALCO, VECO, etc.) installs a bidirectional meter that tracks both what you consume and what you export. Credits are applied to your next billing cycle.

Yes, solar installations require permits and approvals. These typically include a building permit from your local government unit (LGU), an electrical permit, a net metering application with your distribution utility, and an ERC certificate of compliance for systems connected to the grid. Don't worry — we handle all permitting and paperwork as part of our installation service, so you don't have to deal with the bureaucracy.

Yes. Under the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 (RA 9513), solar installations may qualify for duty-free importation of equipment, income tax holiday for RE developers, net operating loss carry-over, and VAT zero-rating on RE equipment sales. Individual homeowners benefit primarily through net metering savings and reduced electricity costs. For commercial installations, additional tax incentives may apply. We can guide you through the available benefits during your consultation.

Still have questions? We're happy to help.