Frequently asked questions
Costs, installation, warranties and upkeep: what homeowners and businesses ask us most.
What's included when Blueshift installs a solar system?
Everything, from start to finish: we design the system around your actual usage, supply the equipment, install it, handle the net metering paperwork with your utility, and monitor it for the life of the system.
Can I buy equipment individually, or only as part of a complete system?
No. We don't sell equipment on its own. We supply Tier 1 equipment as part of complete systems that we design, install and monitor, so every part is covered by the right warranty.
How do I work out how many solar panels I need?
Try our Design Studio. Enter your monthly bill and it sizes a system for your roof, with pricing, in about two minutes. An advisor can then fine-tune it with you.
How do I know which solar system is right for me?
It depends on your goals: lowering your bill, backup during brownouts, or both. Our advisors start from how you actually use power. Talk to an Advisor and we'll walk you through the options.
Can I add more panels later if I need more power?
Yes. If you're on net metering there are a few things to plan for, because an upgrade changes what's registered with your utility. Tell us early and we'll design your system so it's easy to expand. How net metering works.
How long does solar take to pay for itself?
For homes, typical payback is 4 to 6 years. For businesses it's usually 2.5 to 4.5 years. After that, the savings are yours for the rest of the system's life, and panels carry a 30-year performance warranty.
What is net metering, and do you handle it?
Net metering lets you export the solar power you don't use to the grid and get credit for it on your electric bill. We prepare the paperwork and coordinate with your utility for every system we install. Read the full guide.
What are the requirements for Meralco net metering?
Meralco needs an application packet: the net metering application form, your latest bill, proof of ownership (TCT), two valid IDs that match the name on the bill, a single-line diagram of the system, and a few consent forms. Once Meralco clears it, city hall issues a CFEI, then Meralco inspects the site and swaps in a two-way meter. We prepare and file all of it for every system we install. Read the full guide.
How long does net metering take to get approved?
Usually 3 to 8 months from contract to activation. The DOE has set faster deadlines for utilities and city halls, but they aren't applied consistently yet. You can still use your solar while you wait with a zero export device. Read the full guide.
What if my system fails Meralco's net metering test?
For homes, we install a harmonic filter so the system passes the re-test, at no extra cost. It's part of our net metering processing fee. For businesses, our free 2-week energy monitoring checks power quality before we design, so any filter the site needs is planned in from the start.
Can I use my solar while waiting for net metering?
Yes. We can install a zero export device, which limits your system to what your home or business uses in real time, so nothing flows back to the grid. You start saving on daytime power right away, and switch to net metering once Meralco swaps in your new meter.
Can solar panels be installed on flat roofs or on the ground?
Yes. Panels can go on flat roofs or on ground mounts, like a small solar farm. Panels on a flat roof sit at a lower tilt, so they need cleaning more often.
Do I need to fix or replace my roof before installing solar?
If your roof is old and you plan to replace it within the next five years, it's best to do that first. If not, we can remove the panels and reinstall them when you re-roof.
What's the best direction and angle for solar panels?
In the Philippines, facing south at about 14° is ideal. East and west work well too, and because we're close to the equator, even north-facing panels still produce well.
How long does installation take?
Most home installations take 2 to 3 days on the roof. Larger projects of 100 kW and up can take 2 to 4 weeks.
What affects the cost of installation?
Mainly the system size, your roof type and whether you add a battery. Metal roofs are the simplest to mount on; tile roofs and ground mounts take more work. Adding energy storage increases the cost significantly.
What warranties come with my system?
Solar panels: 30-year performance warranty and 12-year product warranty. Inverter: up to 5 years. Battery: up to 10 years. Workmanship: 5 years from Blueshift, covering roof leaks and installation quality. Every system also comes with a power production guarantee.
We buy equipment direct from the manufacturer, so the manufacturer warranties stay intact.
How do I maintain my solar panels?
Mostly by keeping them clean. The steeper your panels are tilted, the less often they need it; we generally recommend cleaning 1 to 3 times a year. Blueshift One includes two check-ups and cleanings a year.
Do you provide replacement parts?
Yes. Panels, inverters and batteries are covered by their manufacturer warranties. With Blueshift One, defective balance-of-system parts such as breakers, fuses and connectors are replaced free, up to the plan's annual fee; otherwise parts are charged at market price.
What is Blueshift Active Monitoring?
Every system we install is monitored 24/7 by our software, free for the life of the system. If something goes wrong, you get a fault alert. For Blueshift One customers, a fault automatically routes to our team, so you don't have to call.
What is Blueshift One?
Blueshift One is our optional maintenance plan, paid as one annual fee. It includes two site check-ups and cleanings a year, all labour on every visit, free diagnostic visits, and free replacement of defective balance-of-system parts up to the annual fee.
How fast do you respond if something goes wrong?
Emergencies get a response in under 24 hours, as part of our workmanship warranty. For everything else, our team schedules a visit with you.
How can I contact Blueshift?
Call or text +63 917 715 1100, email hello@blueshift.ph, or Talk to an Advisor here on the site. Our office is at Unit 3404, One Corporate Center, Ortigas, and we're open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 5pm.
How long do solar panels last?
Solar panels keep producing for decades. The Tier 1 panels we install come with a 30-year performance warranty and a 12-year product warranty, and lose only about 0.4% of their output each year.
How much does solar installation cost in the Philippines?
It depends on your system size, your roof and whether you add a battery. For homes, solar works out to about ₱4 per kWh all-in, around 71% cheaper than grid power, and typically pays for itself in 4 to 6 years. For a price for your own home, enter your monthly bill in our Design Studio.
Can solar panels run an air conditioner?
Yes. During the day, a solar system sized for your usage can power your air conditioners directly, which is when most homes run them hardest. At night, power comes from the grid or from a battery if you have one. Inverter aircons use less power, so they're easier to cover.
What happens to my solar system during a brownout?
A standard grid-tied system switches off automatically during a brownout. That's a safety requirement, so no power flows back into lines that crews may be repairing. A hybrid system with a battery keeps your chosen appliances running through the outage. Talk to an Advisor about backup options.
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