Ayala-led renewable energy (RE) firm ACEN Corp. announced that it has partnered with mobile wallet GCash to launch a solar rooftop program in Ilocos Norte province that would allow residents to minimize power costs and contribute to the country’s energy transition goals.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) on Wednesday, April 29, ACEN said the Ilocos Norte solar rooftop campaign will support households in solar rooftop system installations with flexible financing options through Fuse Financing Inc., the lending arm of GCash.

Through the lending program, residents may apply for a three- to 10-year installment plan via GGives for as low as ₱1,300 per month.

“This initiative reflects how strong collaboration between the public and private sectors can bring the benefits of RE directly to communities... By combining solar technology, accessible financing, and local engagement, we are making clean energy more inclusive and within reach of Filipino households,” ACEN President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Eric Francia said.

Building on the province’s reputation as a pioneer in wind and solar energy, the campaign shifts the focus from large-scale utility projects to residential adoption.

The pilot rollout is set to cover Laoag City, as well as the towns of Dingras and Pagudpud, with limited slots available during the introductory phase. The formal rollout follows a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed last March 16 at Ilocos Norte’s provincial capitol.

The financing model provided by Fuse Financing is designed to be low-barrier, requiring no traditional bank collateral and offering a simplified online application process. This ensures that even households without access to conventional credit lines can participate in the green energy shift.

Beyond the installation of hardware, the program leverages net metering through Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative Inc. (INEC). This allows households to export excess electricity generated by their solar panels back to the grid in exchange for bill credits, further driving down monthly utility expenses. Solaric Philippines will manage the technical supply and installation for the participants.

Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos lauded the project, stating that it reaffirms the province’s status as the renewable energy capital of the Philippines while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Vice Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc added that the project serves as a scalable template that the provincial government intends to expand for the benefit of more residents.

“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,” he said.

Initially, the campaign will prioritize households with an average consumption of at least four kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day to ensure the most significant savings. - Gabriell Christel Galang