Philippines Becomes China’s No. 2 Solar Export Market So Far in 2026 as Power Costs Drive Rooftop Solar
The Philippines has become China’s No. 2 solar export market so far in 2026 as high residential electricity costs drive rooftop installations, according to an Ember report. In 2025, the country imported 5,068 MW of solar panel capacity, more than five times the grid-connected utility-scale solar installed that year, Ember said.
That buildup of PV inventory could translate into faster rooftop solar growth, Ember said. The report said the Philippines has the most expensive residential electricity in Southeast Asia, giving Chinese solar panels an estimated payback period of 3.1 years for households and 2.3 years for businesses.
From the sources (2 posts)
@rnaudbertrandThis is really remarkable: the Philippines is undergoing a huge grassroots-led green revolution, with millions of ordinary Filipinos installing Chinese solar panels on their rooftops. So much so that the Philippines just became, so far in
@ember_energyIn 2025, the Philippines imported 5,068 MW of solar panel capacity – more than FIVE TIMES the grid-connected utility-scale solar installed that year. This buildup of PV inventory could translate to an accelerating growth of rooftop solar