17-07-2025
ICSC finds over 1,800MW potential solar rooftop capacity in the PH, as it launches SPECTRUM solar mapping tool
The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) officially launched SPECTRUM (Solar Power Estimation of Capacities and Tracking Using Machine Learning), a groundbreaking online platform designed to map, monitor, and accelerate the growth of rooftop solar energy systems across the Philippines.
At the launch event Tuesday, ICSC Chief Data Scientist Jephraim Manansala presented SPECTRUM's core features, highlighting its capacity to track existing rooftop solar installations nationwide using machine learning.
The platform is intended to support local governments, utilities, solar developers, and communities in planning and implementing solar energy programs.
'SPECTRUM is more than just a mapping tool, although it is a fancy mapping tool,' said ICSC Executive Director Angelo Kairos Dela Cruz. 'It is a bold leap toward a future where innovation meets inclusion."
Currently, SPECTRUM maps rooftop solar capacities in 174 cities and municipalities, with an initial focus on high-density urban areas where rooftop solar penetration is highest. Given this coverage, the tool has already helped detect 1,309.64 megawatts (MW) of potential solar rooftop capacity in Luzon, 472.48MW capacity in Visayas, and 61.08MW capacity in Mindanao –– amounting to 1,846.08MW potential solar capacity nationwide.
Of the total 1,846.08MW, 1,398.25MW are utility scale, 202.03MW are commercial, and 245.8MW are residential installations.
These spectacular numbers mean the Philippines could actually avoid an estimated grid emissions of about 1.8MTCOe (million tons of CO2 equivalent), explained ICSC's Chief Data Scientist Jephraim Manansala to GMA News Online.
"However, note that this just for the selected areas in the country and still does not account for other areas," he advised.
Manansala came up with the estimated carbon avoidance by "assuming a 16% capacity factor for solar and using the Department of Energy's Operating Margin Emission Factors (2019-2021) of Luzon and Visayas at 0.6936 tCO2/MWh and Mindanao at 0.8522 tCO2/MWh.
"These values mean that for every 1MWh of solar electricity added, you're avoiding around 0.69-0.85 tons of Co2, depending on the region," Manansala continued.
Climate change is caused by the burning of fossil fuels, which then produces greenhouse gas emissions and traps the sun's heat in the atmosphere.
Avoiding carbon is important in the fight against climate change, which is why transitioning away from fossil fuels and into clean energy is important.
This is especially important for the Philippines, which is already experiencing the effects of climate change. Last year, the country experienced four simultaneous typhoons, which the World Weather Attribution said was made 70% more likely as a result of climate change.
According to the German Watch's Climate Risk Index 2025, the Philippines is the 10th most affected country by extreme weather events in the last 30 years, making the transition to clean energy urgent.
SPECTRUM was launched on Tuesday morning at Novotel Manila in Araneta City, Cubao, where key stakeholders from the government, diplomatic corps, energy sector, and civil society were present.
In attendance were Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella and Assistant Secretary Mylene Capongcol, along with Elizabeth Thompson, Barbados Ambassador for Climate Change, Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and the Law of the Sea. Climate Vulnerable Forum–V20 Secretary-General and former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed also delivered a keynote address, underscoring the regional and global significance of scaling up clean energy.
A panel discussion followed, featuring representatives from the DOE, Energy Regulatory Commission, Meralco, and Quezon City local government, who discussed policy implications, opportunities, and integration with existing energy systems.
The launch was capped off by a hands-on workshop, giving members of the academe, civil society, and other energy advocates the opportunity to interact with the tool and offer feedback on its usability and future development.
From the current 175 174 cities and municipalities, ICSC aims to expand SPECTRUM's coverage to up to 400 cities and municipalities within the coming month.
Accessible for free online, SPECTRUM is expected to play a key role in promoting net metering, identifying solar-ready zones, and supporting the Philippines' broader renewable energy transition. — With reports from Sherylin Untalan/LA, GMA Integrated News
