Key Takeaway
Most Filipino homeowners pay for solar with cash, an installment plan with the installer, a government loan (GSIS for government employees, Pag-IBIG for members), or a bank or credit card cash loan. With Onsolar you can pay in cash or in 0% interest in-house installments, and we prepare the documents for GSIS and Pag-IBIG loans. A good rule of thumb: pick the option where the monthly payment is close to what solar saves you on your electric bill each month.
What are my options?
| Option | How it works | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Cash | You pay the full price upfront. | Lowest total cost and the fastest payback. It doesn't hurt to ask about a cash discount. |
| Installer installment | You pay the installer monthly, usually after a down payment. | No bank application. Check the term, the down payment, and whether there's interest. |
| Bank loan | A personal loan, home improvement loan, or a bank's solar or green loan. | Longer terms, but with interest, fees and income requirements. |
| GSIS solar loan (GSEL) | A solar loan for government employees, paid through salary deduction. | Up to ₱500,000 at a fixed 5% a year, over 5 years. Applied for through the GSIS Touch app. |
| Pag-IBIG home improvement | Members finance solar as a home improvement under the housing loan. | Rates from about 5.75% a year (2026). Needs active membership and a property title as collateral. |
| Credit card installment or credit to cash | You charge it and convert it to monthly payments. Other option is you convert your credit card limit into cash and later pay it in installment | Handy for smaller systems. Check the installment rate and your credit limit. |
How does paying the installer in installments work?
Instead of borrowing from a bank, you pay us directly over several months. Usually there's a down payment when you sign, and the rest is split into monthly payments.
Our in-house installments are interest-free. Monthly payments are usually made through post-dated checks (PDCs) or bank transfer. If you've never had a checkbook, don't worry, we'll walk you through getting PDCs from your bank. Ask us about the terms for your system.
The trade-off is that installer terms are usually shorter than bank loans, so each monthly payment is bigger. In exchange, it's quick and you only deal with one company.
Can I get a bank loan for solar?
Yes. A lot of homeowners use a personal loan or a home improvement loan, and some banks have loans specifically for solar or other green projects. Rates and terms change often, so check with your bank directly.
We don't offer bank financing ourselves yet. If you borrow from your bank, you pay us in cash, and you pay the bank back on its own terms.
Banks typically ask for a valid ID, proof of income (payslips, ITR, or bank statements if you run a business), and a formal quotation from the installer. Get the quotation first, because the bank will base the loan amount on it.
Are there government loans for solar?
Yes, and there are more of them in 2026 than ever before.
GSIS Ginhawa Solar Energy Loan (GSEL), for government employees. GSIS started accepting applications on March 25, 2026. Members can borrow up to ₱500,000 for the purchase and installation of a solar system, at a fixed 5% a year, payable over 5 years, with no service fee. It's open to active members with permanent, regular or non-career status and at least 3 years of government service. You apply through the GSIS Touch app, and you'll need a formal quotation or installation agreement from your solar provider. Payments come out of your salary automatically.
Pag-IBIG, for members. Members can finance a solar installation as a home improvement under Pag-IBIG's housing loan. For 2026, published rates start at about 5.75% a year with 1-year repricing, 6.25% with 3-year repricing and 6.50% with 5-year repricing. Solar guides commonly list at least 24 months of membership and your property title as collateral. The lower 3% rate is for qualified minimum-wage and low-income members under Pag-IBIG's socialized program. Pag-IBIG has also been reported to be preparing a dedicated solar loan. Rates change, so confirm the current terms with Pag-IBIG Fund before you apply.
SSS, coming soon. SSS has announced an Energy Sustainability Loan for residential solar, with loans of around ₱200,000 to ₱400,000 payable over 4 to 7 years. It isn't open yet, and the interest rate hasn't been set. The rollout is expected in late 2026 or early 2027.
Can I use my credit card to pay for solar?
Yes. You can either pay through a credit card installment (if supported by your card and the installer) or use your bank's credit-to-cash or cash installment program. With credit-to-cash, your bank converts part of your available credit limit into cash, which you use to pay for your solar system and repay in fixed monthly installments.
Popular options include BPI Credit-to-Cash, BDO Cash Installment, Metrobank Credit-to-Cash, RCBC UnliCash, Security Bank Simply Cash, EastWest Insta-Cash, PNB Credit-to-Cash, and UnionBank EasyCa. Interest rates, processing fees, and repayment terms vary by bank and promotions.
Does it make sense to finance solar?
It does when your monthly savings cover most or all of the monthly payment. At that point you're basically redirecting money you already pay the electric company into a system you'll own.
A quick example, just to show the idea: if solar cuts your bill by ₱6,000 a month and your payment is ₱5,500, you're already ₱500 ahead every month while paying it off. Once it's fully paid, you keep the whole ₱6,000.
To compare options, take the monthly savings from your installer's proposal, put it next to each option's monthly payment, and check the total cost over the full term. Then go with the shortest term you can comfortably afford.
Where do I start?
Start with a site visit and a formal quotation. You'll need the price and the expected savings for any of these options anyway. Request a free solar assessment and we'll include the payment options in your proposal.
Want a plan for your own home or business?
Free site visit and a custom proposal. Branches in Makati, Coron, Siargao, Boracay, Dumaguete and Bantayan.
Get Free Solar QuoteCommon questions
Does Onsolar offer installment plans?
Yes. We offer 0% interest in-house installments, or you can pay in cash. Monthly payments are usually made through post-dated checks (PDCs) or bank transfer. We don't offer bank financing, but you can pay us with a cash loan from your bank or credit card and repay the bank monthly.
Is there a government loan for solar panels in the Philippines?
Yes. GSIS offers the Ginhawa Solar Energy Loan for government employees (up to ₱500,000 at 5% a year over 5 years), and Pag-IBIG members can use Pag-IBIG financing for solar. SSS has announced a solar loan that isn't open yet. We prepare the quotation and documents you need to apply. Check each agency for the latest terms.
What do I need for a bank loan for solar?
Usually a valid ID, proof of income, and a formal quotation from your installer. Requirements vary by bank, so check with yours first.
Is it better to pay cash or finance?
Cash costs the least overall and pays back the fastest. Financing lets you start saving right away without a big upfront payment, and works well when your monthly savings cover most of the monthly payment.
Can I finance a hybrid system with a battery?
Yes. Grid-tie, hybrid and off-grid systems can all be paid in installments or financed. Hybrid costs more because of the battery, so the monthly payment is higher for the same term.
Sources
- GSIS opens solar loan applications March 25
- GSIS begins accepting applications for solar energy loans
- Pag-IBIG preparing a solar home improvement loan
- SSS preparing to lend ₱40B for household solar panels
- SSS to roll out rooftop solar financing
- Pag-IBIG solar loan Philippines 2026
- Pag-IBIG keeps 3% housing loan rate