Real Estate Company Imperial Homes Corp. (IHC) has launched the updated net metering program to allow its home owners in its Via Verde community in Sto. Tomas, Batangas to reduce their electricity bills and sell their excess capacity to the distribution grid.
This is in consonance with the amended rules on net metering, which refers to the act of selling surplus home-grown energy to the local power grid or energy company.
The amendment, as adopted recently by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), is covered by Resolution 06, Series of 2019, the “Rules Enabling the Net-Metering Program for Renewable Energy.”
The amended rules on net metering prescribe a 20-day processing timeline for distribution utilities (DUs) to complete the whole interconnection process from receipt of the letter of interest; provided all necessary permits and licenses from various concerned agencies are secured and completed.
The amendment also mandates the removal of distribution impact study (DIS) fees and other related soft costs to encourage participation from end-users.
The ERC considers the conduct of DIS a regular activity of the DU to ensure the reliability and stability of the distribution system therefore making it unnecessary for DUs to impose additional charges for its conduct.
End-users who have solar or other renewable energy systems, such as Via Verde homeowners, may apply for net metering.
Via Verde is touted as the Philippines’ first solar powered mass housing community, with its home models also the country’s first recipients of Excellence in Design for Greater
Efficiencies Certificate given by the International Finance Corp./World Bank for meeting global standards for Green Building.
“We use the best technology in the world to build high-quality but affordable home for the Filipino masses,” IHC said in its Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) hub.
It said Via Verde homebuyers are guaranteed “globally recognized quality homes that provide them with significant savings on electricity costs.”
Installing solar systems, according to IHC, can yield as high as 20 percent in return on investment brought by savings and reduce the need for the coal and other non-renewable energy generation plants to produce electricity to supply communities, thus helping combat against climate change.
The company was incorporated in September 1983 and has built over 20,000 homes across Luzon — in Bicol, Cavite, Batangas and Cabanatuan.