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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider The Economy devider New online tool SPECTRUM to map Philippines for solar energy expansion

New online tool SPECTRUM to map Philippines for solar energy expansion

Published Jul 15, 2025 03:50 pm
A non-government organization Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) has launched a free online platform designed to help stakeholders track and expand rooftop solar technologies across the Philippines.
Unveiled at an event on Tuesday, July 15, the platform, named SPECTRUM (Solar Power Estimation of Capacities and Tracking Using Machine Learning), is a rooftop solar mapping tool.
It aims to guide local government units (LGUs), solar developers, distribution utilities, and civil society organizations in identifying prime areas for rooftop solar programs, promoting net metering adoption, and supporting the country’s renewable energy (RE) goals.
ICSC Executive Director Angelo Kairus Dela Cruz stated that SPECTRUM will identify high-impact solar zones, ranging from large-scale installations to household and community projects.
“Through initiatives like SPECTRUM, we turn research into evidence-based policies that guide national planning and empower local governments to adopt climate-smart standards,” Dela Cruz said.
“SPECTRUM is more than just a mapping tool, although it is a fancy mapping tool. It is a bold leap toward a future where innovation meets inclusion. At the heart of SPECTRUM are three guiding principles: intentions, innovations, and impacts,” he added.
As the website goes live, ICSC Chief Data Scientist Jephraim Manansala announced plans to expand the mapping access beyond urbanized areas.
“We covered 174 [cities and municipalities], but we plan to scale this up to 300 to 400 cities in the next month or so,” Manansala told reporters. “We’re currently focused on urbanized [and] high-density areas. Those are the areas with the most solar rooftop penetrations.”
Currently, the platform has solar rooftop mapping in Metro Manila, Metro Iloilo, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao, along with select areas in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The ICSC anticipates including more rooftop solar projects within economic zones by September.
When asked about SPECTRUM’s sustainability, Manansala assured that stakeholders would be empowered by using the free platform, as it is philanthropically supported.
“We are continuously seeking finances from philanthropic organizations. I think we are fully covered for the next years,” Manansala explained. “But I think [if] we’re scaling this up, we’re going to need more help…We are seeking more grants to ensure the sustainability of the project.”

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Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) SPECTRUM Solar Power Estimation of Capacities and Tracking Using Machine Learning
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