What's Happening

On June 3, 2026, Trade Secretary Maria Cristina Roque announced that the DTI is proposing mandatory product certification for solar power system products sold in the Philippines. Under the proposal, all solar products must comply with Philippine National Standards (PNS) and carry test reports from accredited laboratories.

The regulation covers solar products only — installation and mounting services are excluded from this proposal.

Stakeholders can submit comments and feedback until July 25, 2026, via OASFTG@dti.gov.ph.

Why This Matters for Homeowners

If you're considering solar, this is good news. Right now, there's no mandatory quality gate for solar panels entering the Philippine market. That means substandard, counterfeit, or reject panels from other countries can be sold here without consequence.

Secretary Roque put it directly: the proposal aims to "prevent the Philippines from becoming a dumping ground for substandard solar products rejected by other countries."

Once mandatory certification is in place, every panel sold in the PH would need to meet PNS standards verified by an accredited testing lab. This means fewer low-quality panels on the market, better warranties that actually hold up, reduced risk of fire or rapid degradation, and more confidence that your 25-year investment will actually last.

For homeowners who have already installed solar: this doesn't retroactively affect your existing system. But it does improve the overall market quality going forward.

What This Means for Installers

Installers who already source from reputable Tier 1 manufacturers (LONGi, JA Solar, Trina, Jinko, Canadian Solar, etc.) will see little disruption — those brands already carry IEC and TUV certifications that align with PNS requirements.

Installers who source cheaper, uncertified panels to win bids on price will need to adjust. Once the regulation takes effect, selling non-PNS-certified panels would be a compliance violation.

This also levels the playing field. Quality-focused installers have long competed against operators who undercut on price by using substandard equipment. Mandatory certification removes that race to the bottom.

Smart installers should start auditing their supply chain now and ensure every panel and inverter they stock has the paperwork to prove PNS compliance.

What to Do Right Now

If you're a homeowner shopping for solar, ask your installer whether their panels are PNS-certified or carry IEC 61215 and IEC 61730 certifications from recognized labs (TUV, UL, CSA). Even before this regulation takes effect, certified panels are the safer choice.

If you're an installer or industry stakeholder, review the DTI proposal and submit your feedback before July 25, 2026. The feedback email is OASFTG@dti.gov.ph.

You can read our detailed guide on verifying panel quality here: How to Check the Quality of the PV Modules Being Installed.

The Bigger Picture

The Philippines is one of the fastest-growing solar markets in Southeast Asia. As more Filipino families turn to solar to cut electricity costs, the volume of panels entering the country is rising fast. Without quality controls, the risk of a bad experience — panels that underperform, degrade quickly, or pose safety hazards — grows with it.

Mandatory certification is a step toward a mature, trustworthy solar market. It protects consumers, rewards quality installers, and builds the kind of confidence that accelerates adoption.

Solar Advisor will continue tracking this proposal and update this page as it moves through the regulatory process.