ACEN, GCash, Ilocos Norte launch first province-led rooftop solar program
Editor’s note: This press release is sponsored by GCash and was handled by BrandRap, the sales and marketing arm of Rappler. No member of the news and editorial team participated in the publishing of this piece.
The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN), in partnership with ACEN and GCash of the Ayala group, has launched the Ilocos Norte Solar Rooftop Campaign, the first local government-led initiative in the Philippines to enable households to access clean energy through solar rooftops and net metering under affordable and accessible terms.
The campaign brings together the government, financing partner, renewable energy providers, and key enablers—including Solaric Philippines and the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC)—to deliver an integrated model that makes solar power practical for everyday households.
At a time when energy affordability and security are becoming increasingly urgent, the initiative provides Ilocano families with a viable pathway to reduce electricity costs while contributing to the country’s clean energy transition.
“This initiative reflects how strong collaboration between the public and private sectors can bring the benefits of renewable energy directly to communities,” said Eric Francia, ACEN CEO. “By combining solar technology, accessible financing, and local engagement, we are making clean energy more inclusive and within reach of Filipino households.”
Building on Ilocos Norte’s legacy as a pioneer in renewable energy—home to some of the country’s earliest wind and solar developments—the campaign shifts the focus from utility-scale projects to household-level adoption.
Through the program, participating households can install solar rooftop systems with flexible financing options, without the need for traditional bank collateral. Financing is made accessible through Fuse Financing Inc., the lending arm of GCash, offering convenient digital application and payment terms via its installment feature, GGives, with terms ranging from 3 to 10 years for as low as P1,300 only per month.
Households will also benefit from net metering, enabled through INEC, allowing excess electricity generated from their solar systems to be exported to the grid in exchange for bill credits—helping further reduce monthly electricity expenses. Solaric Philippines will support the supply and installation of solar rooftop systems for participating households.
“This initiative reaffirms Ilocos Norte’s status as the renewable energy capital of the Philippines. Now is the time that we lessen our energy dependence on fossil fuel,” said Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos.
“We’re proud to introduce this as the first-of-its-kind project in the entire Philippines, where we have all these parties come together to spread the benefits of solar energy for everyone. This is just the start of a great and impactful project, and one that we will continue to work on and make sure that we’re able to scale up for the benefit of all in our province,” said Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc.
Key features of the campaign include:
- Accessible, low-barrier financing options for households
- Flexible payment structures via GGives, the installment payment feature of GCash, aligned with household needs
- Meaningful reduction in electricity costs through solar and net metering
- Efficient and streamlined installation process
“What makes this framework meaningful is that the financing is designed to be accessible for all. It offers a competitive rate, has a simple online application process, and no lengthy documentary requirements needed, and more importantly, it opens opportunities even for households that may not have access to traditional financing or credit cards. This is how we’re expanding access to green financing and making the shift to clean energy more inclusive,” said Tony Isidro, president and CEO of Fuse Financing.
The campaign will initially prioritize households with average consumption of 4 kWh per day and above, where solar installations can deliver the most meaningful savings.
The Ilocos Norte Solar Rooftop Campaign demonstrates a scalable model for accelerating residential renewable energy adoption through coordinated action.
The initial rollout will cover pilot areas, including Laoag City, Dingras, and Pagudpud, with limited slots available to participating households.
FULL FORCE FOR CLEAN ENERGY. PGIN, ACEN, Fuse Financing, INEC, and Solaric, together with the members of the local press, during the Memorandum of Agreement Signing at the Provincial Capitol of Ilocos Norte.
Beyond lowering electricity bills, the campaign supports broader sustainability goals by reducing reliance on conventional energy sources and enabling households to generate clean power directly from their rooftops.
The initiative also reinforces Ilocos Norte’s position as a leader in renewable energy—demonstrating how clean energy can move beyond large-scale projects and become part of everyday life.
The campaign was formally launched with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) among key partners on March 16 at the Ilocos Norte Provincial Capitol, marking the start of the campaign’s awareness and enrollment phase. – Rappler.com
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