Solar Companies in the Philippines: What to Look for Before You Sign
Which solar company should you trust with a system that will sit on your roof for 25 to 30 years? Start with what happens after the installation, not before it.
Coby Cobankiat, CEO of Solviva, made that point when he and COO Engr. Cristopher Tangpep sat down with Bilyonaryo News Channel's Power Shift. They covered what it takes to install rooftop solar, what homeowners should know before switching, and where the industry is headed. Coby's view is that a product that lasts this long should never be sold as a one-time transaction. Here is how to use that idea when you compare solar companies in the Philippines.
A solar system outlasts the sales conversation
A rooftop system is designed to run for 25 to 30 years. Panel output declines by about 0.4 percent per year. Over that time you will have questions, and something may need attention. Coby said Solviva sees each installation as "the beginning of a long-term relationship." The company behind your system matters as much as the equipment.
Warranties are part of the picture, but only part. On Solviva systems:
- Panels carry a 30-year performance warranty and a 12-year product warranty.
- Inverters and batteries carry a 5-year warranty.
- Workmanship carries a 1-year warranty.
Compare these numbers across every company you consider. Then ask a second question: who do you call when you need a claim? A warranty covers equipment. It does not tell you who will respond.
Look for a company that asks before it recommends
Coby described Solviva's approach this way: "we don't pitch, we interview, we don't hard sell, we set expectations." In practice, that means questions first. What are your goals? What is your budget? Which major appliances do you run at home? Then you get a few options and a recommendation, with the reasons behind it.
Ask for the same specifics from any company you consider. For reference, Solviva's smallest system is 5 kWp and grid-tied. It uses 8 panels and needs 25 to 30 sqm of clear, unobstructed roof space. It is recommended for electricity bills of ₱10,000 and above. Our roof space guide explains how to check your own roof.
Payment terms should be easy to explain
Coby named two barriers to adopting solar. The first is the upfront cost. The second is trust: the worry that an installer will not be around after the sale.
Solviva offers two ways to pay, a cash purchase or Rent-to-Own. Rent-to-Own starts with a ₱0 down payment and uses fixed monthly payments. You own the system once the term is complete.
Whichever company you choose, ask for the full terms in writing before you sign. That includes what you pay, for how long, and when the system becomes yours.
A clear timeline is a good sign
Ask any company to walk you through its process and how long it takes. Rent-to-Own at Solviva has four steps: a customized quote after a site assessment, a same-day credit assessment, system design and layout, then installation and energization. The whole process can take as little as seven days, depending on how quickly you submit your requirements and what your home needs.
Ask what support looks like after installation
This is where companies differ most. Coby said Solviva tries to make its after-sales team easy to reach. He also described an ideal: if something goes wrong, the company finds out before the customer does and says so first. It is a goal, not a guarantee, and it is a useful standard to ask about.
In the same episode, Solviva customer Caloy Samson described a straightforward process and a responsive team from start to finish.
Before you sign with anyone, ask how you reach them after installation, who handles technical support, and who handles warranty claims. Our post on what happens after installation shows what that looks like at Solviva.
Equipment choices should have a reason
Solviva chooses equipment on value, not brand. Ask any company what its equipment choices are based on. A clear answer tells you they have thought about it.
Four checks before you choose a company
- Judge the company as well as the equipment. The system lasts 25 to 30 years, so your solar provider should be around for the whole of it .
- Look for questions before recommendations. Anyone quoting a system size before seeing your roof is guessing what you really need.
- Get payment terms, ownership, and the timeline in writing.
- Ask how to reach support after installation, and who handles warranty claims.
Solviva, an AboitizPower company, has completed more than 700 installations with 4.4 MWp of installed capacity across Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Bulacan, and Pampanga.
Book a free solar consultation and site assessment and a member of our team will go over your options.
System sizes start at 5 kWp, grid-tied, and are recommended for electricity bills of ₱10,000 and above. Actual price and savings vary depending on system size and usage.
