DTI moves to regulate solar panel systems

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is preparing rules that would require manufacturers of solar panel systems to secure government certification, as it seeks to tighten oversight of the quality of such products entering the Philippine market.

This proposed regulation, drafted by the DTI’s Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS), would require certification for solar photovoltaic (PV) modules or panels, battery energy storage systems, inverters, charge controllers, and cables used in both residential and commercial solar installations.

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It would apply to products sold locally, whether manufactured in the Philippines or imported.

Frank Macula, chief of the Electrical and Electronic Products Certification Division of the DTI-BPS, said the proposal was meant to address growing concerns over the quality and safety of solar products entering the Philippine market.

“What we want to see is that the quality of those components for solar should be compliant, so that our consumers can safely use the products they are installing,” Macula told the Inquirer.

Certification

Macula said the proposed regulation would complement the Department of Energy’s (DOE) existing rules on the accreditation and registration of solar PV installers.

Mandatory certification would also ensure that products comply with Philippine National Standards, he added.

The DTI-BPS grants two certifications for regulated products: the Philippine Standard Quality Certification Mark for locally manufactured goods and the Import Commodity Clearance certification for imported products.

Macula said that because solar products are not yet covered by mandatory certification rules, they can currently be sold locally without Philippine certification, or may only carry certifications issued in their countries of origin.

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Once the regulation takes effect, solar components that do not carry the required Philippine

certifications could be barred from sale in the local market and may be subject to seizure, according to Macula.

However, he stressed that manufacturers would be given ample time to comply with the proposed requirements.

The DTI will hold its first public consultation on the draft order on May 26, with representatives from the DOE, the Energy Regulatory Commission, and Meralco expected to participate.

After the consultation, stakeholders will be given 60 days to submit comments and recommendations.

Once the regulation is finalized, manufacturers and importers will be granted a one-year transition period before enforcement begins.

There are currently 111 products covered under the DTI’s mandatory certification regime, including household appliances such as air conditioners and refrigerators, as well as electrical equipment like circuit breakers and electric vehicle charging systems. /atm