Clean energy, clear facts

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May 14, 2026 | 12:00am

Fake news has continued to proliferate on social media, becoming even more rampant in recent weeks. This growing concern is reflected in a 2025 Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, which found that 59 percent of Filipinos believe the spread of fake news on the internet and social media is a serious problem.

The survey also revealed that 65 percent of respondents find it difficult to determine whether information they watch, hear, or read on television, radio or social media is fake, highlighting the increasing challenge of navigating today’s information landscape. This is a serious concern and one that demands collective action from across all sectors.

I have seen this problem firsthand, particularly in recent days when social media went abuzz with posts about renewable energy, especially rooftop solar installations, that distort the facts. Misleading content has exaggerated and twisted Meralco’s call for standardized solar regulations, unfairly portraying the utility as a barrier to progress and fueling misplaced public outrage.

The reality is far simpler and far more important: informing Meralco, or the distribution utility in your area, about your solar PV installation is not about control, but about safety and system reliability.

Meralco has been clear on this point. As I have emphasized publicly, “Meralco recognizes the growing interest in renewable energy and solar installations, and we fully understand why many customers see these as an alternative to lower electricity costs and contribute to a cleaner energy future. We want to be clear: Meralco is not against the adoption of renewable energy or the use of solar equipment.”

What is being asked of consumers is cooperation for their safety and for the people who work on power lines – line crew, engineers and field personnel. And this concern is not limited to Meralco alone. It extends to all distribution utilities and electric cooperatives in the country.

When a solar photovoltaic (PV) system is installed without the utility’s knowledge, risks multiply. Electricity generated by rooftop panels can flow back into the grid unexpectedly, a phenomenon known as backfeeding. Line crews repairing outages may assume wires are de-energized, only to be exposed to live current. The consequences can be fatal. Beyond that, uncoordinated installations can cause voltage fluctuations, damage equipment, or trigger localized blackouts. These are not abstract scenarios but documented hazards in countries where renewable adoption has surged without proper safeguards. And when the utility is unaware of a customer’s system, its ability to respond to emergencies or provide assistance is severely limited.

The narrative that utilities oppose solar adoption for financial reasons has been amplified by viral posts designed to provoke anger. But this claim does not hold up. Meralco has clarified repeatedly: “This is not a fiscal issue, nor an attempt to impose control, but a matter of public safety that may apply nationwide, even beyond the Meralco franchise area.”

It is worth noting that neither Meralco nor any other distribution utility has regulatory authority over solar installations. The company is also not against progress or innovation. What is being asked of the public is to do it the right way with the help of clear, standardized guidelines from governing agencies to ensure installations are done correctly and safely. This way, communities and the people who work hard to ensure that electricity reaches our homes reliably are protected.

The Integrated Institute of Electrical Engineers of the Philippines (IIEE) has also released a statement on the safe and responsible implementation of rooftop solar PV installations. In its statement, IIEE said that, “Renewable energy development must always ne pursued alongside strict adherence to electrical safety standards, sound engineering practices and existing laws, rules and regulations intended to protect life, property, public safety and grid reliability.”

“Electrical safety and renewable energy development must progress hand in hand,” IIEE further emphasized.

It is both sad and concerning that a well-meaning call is being drowned by misinformation. Rage bait posts thrive on painting utilities as villains, while ignoring the very real risks of improper installation.

In the age of algorithm-driven outrage, facts are drowned out by emotion. The solution is straightforward: education. Utilities, government agencies and consumers must work together to cut through the noise. Progress in renewable energy must never come at the expense of electrical safety. Informing Meralco – or any utility – about solar installation is a safeguard that ensures that your system is compatible, that line crews are protected, and that the grid remains stable for everyone.

The discussion need not be framed as a struggle against solar panels, innovation, or Meralco – or any other distribution utility. Rather, it is an opportunity to slow down, listen carefully, and distinguish fact from noise in an age where information moves faster than understanding. Renewable energy clearly holds great promise for our future, but that will be fulfilled only if we pursue it with care, guided by truth, respect for safety and a shared sense of responsibility.