Building New Momentum for Solar & Storage in Southeast Asia: 3rd Solar and Energy Storage Future Philippines 2026 Successfully Concludes

On May 18, 2026, the 3rd Solar and Energy Storage Future Philippines 2026, organized by Energy Box, was successfully held in Manila. The conference brought together more than 300 industry representatives and over 60 speakers from government agencies, energy companies, utilities, investment institutions, and technology providers from the Philippines and across Asia. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on the development pathways, investment logic, and technological evolution of the solar and energy storage industries in Southeast Asia.

Against the backdrop of an accelerating global energy transition, the conference focused on connecting the industry, promoting project implementation, and strengthening collaboration, serving as a high-quality regional platform for dialogue and cooperation within the Philippines’ solar and storage market.

Opening Address

Mylene Celestino Capongcol, Undersecretary at the Philippines Department of Energy, delivered the opening keynote speech on “Philippine Energy Targets and the Role of Solar Energy Storage”

Undersecretary Capongcol outlined the Philippines’ strategic direction and long-term goals for energy transition, emphasizing that under the dual pressure of increasing electricity demand and energy security challenges, renewable energy—particularly solar and energy storage technologies—is becoming a key pillar in optimizing the country’s energy structure.

She noted that the Philippines is currently the world’s fourth most attractive emerging renewable energy investment market, with over 90GW of solar potential identified as a key development area. Through policy mechanisms such as the Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP), net metering, and the Green Energy Option Program (GEOP), the country is accelerating the deployment of solar, energy storage, offshore wind, and other renewable energy projects. Between 2027 and 2035, the Philippines plans to add 25GW of renewable energy capacity.

Energy storage, as a critical enabler, will play an important role in supporting grid stability and integrating higher shares of renewable energy. Large-scale renewable energy projects are now required to include at least 20% energy storage capacity.

Panel Discussion 1: Beyond Oil Volatility: Renewable Energy as the New Pillar of Energy Security

The panel discussion titled “Beyond Oil Volatility: Renewable Energy as the New Pillar of Energy Security” brought together industry leaders from energy development, power supply, and solar technology sectors to discuss the Philippines’ evolving energy security landscape.

The session was moderated by Brenda Valerio, Philippines Country Director at New Energy Nexus, and featured:

* Jacqueline Castillo, President and CEO, Mabuhay Energy Corporation

* Gary Espino, Head of Philippines, Skye Renewables Philippines Inc.

* Joey Zheng, General Sales Manager for APMEA & Latin America, Suntech

Panelists agreed that the Philippines currently faces major challenges including dependence on imported energy, electricity price volatility, and continuously growing power demand. Under such circumstances, renewable energy is gradually shifting from a supplementary resource toward becoming an important pillar of energy security.

With technological advancement and continuously declining costs, corporate energy users are increasingly shifting their focus from short-term cost considerations toward long-term stability and risk management.

The panel concluded that the combined development of solar and energy storage will become an important driving force for enhancing the Philippines’ energy independence, grid resilience, and long-term energy security.

Presentation 1: Micro-grid system application in Phillippines (Linyang)

Bob Zhang, Vice President of Jiangsu Linyang Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd., delivered a presentation focusing on the application and development trends of solar-storage microgrids under the Philippines’ energy transition landscape, highlighting Linyang’s core technologies and project experience in the renewable energy sector.

Bob Zhang introduced Linyang’s nearly 30 years of experience in the energy industry, covering smart energy, energy storage, and renewable energy sectors, with business operations spanning more than 30 countries and regions worldwide.

Addressing the characteristics of the Philippines’ island-based energy marke, he highlighted the company’s low-voltage and medium-voltage microgrid solutions, integrated solar-storage products, and intelligent control systems designed for local market applications, including liquid-cooled energy storage cabinets, foldable PV systems, and the eGF-Hub microgrid control platform.

Bob Zhang also shared Linyang’s ongoing projects in the Philippines, including the Palawan Solar-Storage-Diesel Hybrid Project and the Semirara Island Solar Storage Microgrid Project, which have achieved over 50% diesel displacement, effectively addressing power instability and high energy costs in remote areas while providing more stable and cost-effective clean energy solutions.

Panel Discussion 2: Market Focus:Unlocking Asia’s Next Wave of Solar + Storage Demand

The panel discussion titled “Market Focus: Unlocking Asia’s Next Wave of Solar + Storage Demand” focused on market demand, policy frameworks, and commercialization pathways for the solar and energy storage sectors across Asia.

The session was moderated by Modini Yantrapati, Principal Consultant – Energy Storage and Hybrid Systems at AFRY, with participation from:

* Fred Yang, Director of Business Development, Univers

* Lionel Yap, Regional Manager, Renewable Energy SEA, JJ-LAPP Malaysia

* Lynn Dimayuga, Associate Director | Energy Business Leader, Arup

* Mehran Cruz Khaledi, Vice President Business Development Division, SolarNRG Philippines

* Ibrahim Ariffin, Director | Infrastructure & Capital Projects, Alvarez & Marsal

* Adrian Aw, Managing Director, Head of APAC, PEI Global Partners

Panelists generally agreed that current demand for solar and storage projects is primarily concentrated in Southeast Asia and high-electricity-price markets, including C&I self-consumption projects, ancillary services, and island microgrid applications, with projects rapidly moving from planning stages toward actual grid connection and commercial operation.

Regarding regulation, speakers noted that large-scale energy storage deployment still requires clearer market mechanisms, including capacity compensation schemes, optimized electricity pricing structures, and standardized grid connection requirements to improve project bankability.

From a financial perspective, more projects are beginning to adopt hybrid revenue structures, including PPA + energy storage arbitrage, ancillary service revenues, and capacity market mechanisms, driving projects from single-source income models toward diversified revenue streams.

Regarding system operations, panelists noted that as solar penetration increases, energy storage is becoming an important tool for maintaining grid stability by balancing intermittency and alleviating transmission pressure, although grid expansion in some markets continues to lag behind renewable growth.

On digitalization, participants emphasized that AI-based forecasting and intelligent dispatch systems are increasingly improving energy storage efficiency and revenue optimization.

Regarding emerging applications, speakers agreed that island microgrids and distributed energy systems are accelerating deployment, especially in island markets such as the Philippines, where the combination of solar and energy storage is becoming a key pathway to improve energy accessibility and system resilience.

Presentation 2: Mastering Grid Stability and Maximizing Value Creation: AI-Integrated BESS Solutions for the Philippine Market

Cristian Dave Bermudo, Sales Director of HyperStrong, delivered a keynote presentation focused on “Securing Grid Stability and Maximizing Value Creation,” sharing AI-powered energy storage solutions tailored for the Philippine market and discussing how energy storage systems can support high levels of renewable energy integration and enhance grid stability.

Cristian Dave Bermudo pointed out that as the Philippines accelerates its energy transition and aims to achieve 35% renewable energy penetration by 2030 and 50% by 2040, the rapid growth of utility-scale solar and wind projects is placing increasing demands on grid flexibility. Under the mandatory energy storage policy framework, Grid-Forming (GFM) energy storage systems are becoming a key driver of market development.

During his presentation, HyperStrong showcased its next-generation HyperBlock M liquid-cooled energy storage system, featuring large-capacity battery cells and a modular design that optimizes safety, economic performance, and operational efficiency.

Leveraging its AI-driven closed-loop lifecycle management technology, the system enables accurate monitoring, fault prediction, intelligent O&M, and trading optimization, effectively improving system availability, reducing operational costs, and maximizing project lifecycle value.

HyperStrong is currently advancing projects including the Panay 49.9MW/115MWh project and the Bohol 30MW/70MWh project, continuing to empower the Philippines’ energy transition through intelligent energy storage technologies and supporting the development of a safer and more efficient next-generation power system.

Open Discussion

Following several engaging panel discussions, participants continued in-depth exchanges on industry trends, market opportunities, and technological innovations, with further discussions and idea-sharing taking place during networking sessions.

Meanwhile, TCL Photovoltaic Technology further enriched the conference experience through onsite roll-up displays and conference handbook support, providing participants with clearer guidance and information throughout the event. As an important player in the distributed solar sector, TCL Photovoltaic Technology focuses on five core business areas, including residential distributed PV, C&I distributed power stations, overseas business development, O&M management, and energy-carbon trading. The company is committed to building a full-cycle asset development and operation platform while progressing toward its vision of becoming a user-centric global leading smart renewable energy service provider.

Through diversified information-sharing formats, the company also demonstrated its commitment to supporting industry collaboration and sustainable development within the Philippines and the broader regional solar market.

Panel Discussion 3: Utility-Scale Solar & Storage Projects: Bankability, Revenue Stacking, and Financing Arrangements

The panel discussion titled “Utility-Scale Solar & Storage Projects: Bankability, Revenue Stacking, and Financing Arrangements” brought together industry experts to discuss the investment viability, financing structures, and business models for utility-scale solar and energy storage projects in the Philippines.

The session was moderated by Ruth P. Briones, Chairman and CEO of Greenergy Solutions Inc., and featured:

· Jane Tang, Head of ASEAN, ion Ventures

· Hanzel Cubangbang, Chief Development Officer, Upgrade Energy Philippines, Inc.

· Alfonso Jr Francisco, President, Integrated Watt Systems

· Robert Gerard Nepomuceno, President & CEO, Raslag Corp

· Dennis A. Quintero, Partner, Quisumbing Torres Law Office

· Andy Ana, CEO, Sustainable Asia Renewable Assets (SARA)

Panelists generally agreed that amid grid instability and policy uncertainty, the key to project bankability lies in stable long-term revenue mechanisms and a clear regulatory framework. The integration of energy storage is increasingly enhancing project revenue flexibility and overall grid value.

From a financing perspective, speakers noted that the market is gradually adopting diversified financing structures such as green finance, project financing, and PPA-linked models. However, energy storage projects still face challenges related to immature revenue structures and relatively high risk pricing.

Regarding Revenue Stacking, panelists agreed that integrating electricity trading, ancillary services, and capacity mechanisms can significantly improve project economics and serve as a key pathway for accelerating large-scale energy storage deployment.

Overall, utility-scale solar and storage projects are becoming an important investment direction for the Philippines’ energy transition, while still relying heavily on regulatory clarity and further improvements in market mechanisms.

Lunch Networking:

The lunch networking session provided participants with an opportunity for deeper communication and business discussions. Representatives from government agencies, energy companies, investment institutions, and technology providers engaged in conversations around market opportunities, project collaboration models, and future investment trends in the Philippines’ solar and energy storage market.

The atmosphere was highly interactive, with many companies taking the opportunity to further showcase their solutions and project experience while exploring potential areas for future collaboration.

Panel Discussion 4: Financing the Philippine's Renewable Expansion

The panel discussion titled “Financing the Philippines’ Renewable Expansion” focused on the financing environment, policy mechanisms, and market development pathways for renewable energy projects in the Philippines.

The session was moderated by Gian Karla Canales Gutierrez, Head for Industry Research & Advocacy, Customer Engagement Group, First Gen Integrated Business Services – First Gen Corporation, and featured:

· Harit Puri, Vice President, Enertrans Global Pte. Ltd

· Aljon Del Rosario, Director, Index Partners

· Clares Jalocon, Advisor, ASEAN Energy and Carbon Markets, Apala Group

Panelists noted that amid ongoing global fuel price volatility, renewable energy is increasingly becoming an important solution for reducing energy dependence, improving price stability, and strengthening energy security.

Regarding policy and financing environments, participants emphasized that renewable energy development requires a clearer and more stable regulatory framework to improve project bankability, including optimized capital stack structures, improved transaction mechanisms, and stronger supply chain partnerships to enhance investor confidence.

In conclusion, panelists agreed that maintaining policy continuity, strengthening market-based mechanisms, and promoting cross-border capital collaboration will be essential to sustaining Southeast Asia’s clean energy transition momentum and accelerating renewable energy development goals across the region.

Presentation 3: Co-creating a Solar-Powered Future: SKYWORTH PV, Deeply Rooted in the Philippines

Jack Lee, Philippines General Manager of SKYWORTH Solar, delivered a keynote presentation highlighting the company’s global expansion strategy and localized market practices, sharing insights into its technological innovation, industrial capabilities, and market applications while discussing how diversified solutions can further drive solar market growth and energy transition in the Philippines.

Jack Lee introduced SKYWORTH Group’s business presence across more than 120 countries and regions worldwide, and noted that SKYWORTH Solar, as an important participant in China’s distributed solar sector, has achieved a cumulative installed capacity of 29.3GW globally while building 16 years of market experience in the Philippines.

Leveraging a fully integrated industrial chain covering modules, inverters, and energy storage systems, as well as advanced technologies including high-efficiency BC cells and perovskite tandem technologies, the company continues to improve product performance and application value.

During the presentation, SKYWORTH Solar showcased its one-stop solar solutions covering utility-scale power plants, commercial and industrial applications, and residential sectors, providing full-process services from project development and investment to EPC and O&M management.

The company also introduced its SKY-INVEST PPA model, enabling users to access solar systems and electricity cost savings with zero upfront investment, delivering both economic and sustainability benefits.

Currently, SKYWORTH Solar has deployed residential and C&I projects across multiple regions in the Philippines and continues expanding its overseas footprint. Jack Lee stated that the company will further strengthen local investment, drive technology innovation and service upgrades, and promote wider adoption of high-efficiency solar products to support the Philippines’ green energy transition goals.

Panel Discussion 5: Beyond Imported Fuel: Distributed Solar and Storage as the Philippines’ Energy Security Strategy

In the session titled “Beyond Imported Fuel: Distributed Solar and Storage as the Philippines’ Energy Security Strategy”, industry experts discussed the practical pathways and policy challenges of distributed energy in the Philippines.

The session was moderated by Colin Steley, CSO | Director SE Asia at Stratcon.ph, and featured:

· Lance Elison Dy, Vice President for Strategic Growth & Partnerships, Netsolar Inc.

· Dr. Mark Gil “King” Verzola, Corporate Energy Director, Manila Water Company

· Atty. Juan Lorenzo Tañada, Director for Corporate & Regulatory Affairs, Coca-Cola Philippines

· Arch. Romolo V. Nati, Executive Chairman & CEO, Italpinas Development Corporation

· Eric Ma, Managing Partner, UPower Energy LLC

· Jay Agbayani, Founder & COO, Solar Home Supplies and Services

During the discussion, Netsolar’s Lance Elison Dy emphasized that C&I solar-plus-storage demand in the Philippines is growing rapidly, but the biggest bottleneck remains project economics and grid interconnection costs. He noted that businesses are shifting from an “exploration phase” to a “cost-driven phase,” while rooftop solar has not yet achieved large-scale expansion.

Other panelists added perspectives from corporate energy use, building design, and community energy systems, agreeing that distributed energy is becoming an increasingly important pillar of the Philippines’ energy security. However, grid connection costs, policy consistency, and market mechanisms still require further improvement.

Overall, speakers concluded that distributed solar and storage are transitioning from a supplementary energy source to an energy security infrastructure, but scaling still depends on regulatory and economic alignment.

Panel Discussion 6: How Capital Moves:  Risk, Returns and Financing Decisions in Solar + Storage

 

In the session titled “How Capital Moves: Risk, Returns and Financing Decisions in Solar + Storage”, industry experts discussed investment logic, risk assessment, and capital flows in the Philippine solar and storage market.

The session was moderated by Dr. Daniel Liang, Head of ESS Advisory – APAC at ULSolutions, and featured:

· Shane Rory Clancy, Senior Investment Specialist, Asian Development Bank

· Sarah Fairhurst, Board Advisor, Solaris

· Andrew Koger, Head of Business Development, Green Tiger Markets

· Mohit Sharma, Director, Infrastructure & Capital, Alvarez & Marsal

· Shikki Quinain, Country Manager, PROINSO

· Junrhey Castro, Managing Director, Integra R.E.

· Charles Gamo, Deal Consultant, Mabuhay Capital Corporation

Panelists agreed that key drivers of financing decisions include policy stability, grid interconnection capacity, and long-term revenue predictability, with energy storage increasingly improving project bankability.

On bankability, speakers emphasized that beyond pipeline and market size, execution capability, risk management, and structured revenue models (PPA, ancillary services, market participation) are critical.

On risk factors, capital is most concerned with policy uncertainty, revenue volatility, grid constraints, and technology/safety risks, particularly storage performance and long-term reliability.

Regarding capital flow, speakers noted that over the next 12–24 months, capital is expected to first move toward utility-scale solar + storage, followed by growth in C&I distributed solar and standalone storage, depending on regulatory maturity.

In conclusion, panelists agreed that accelerating investment requires clearer market rules, reduced policy uncertainty, and more mature financial mechanisms.

Panel Discussion 7: Building the Next Power System: Grid, Storage and AI-Driven Energy Demand

In the session titled “Building the Next Power System: Grid, Storage and AI-Driven Energy Demand”, industry experts discussed digital transformation, grid resilience, and AI integration in power systems.

The session was moderated by Viktoria Locson, Renewable Energy Lead – Asia at Blue Water Shipping, and featured:

· Eric San Pedro, Managing Director – Philippines, Ampotech

· John Ross Coronel, System Proposal Engineer, Yokogawa Philippines

· Jayaraman Punidhan, Chief Business Officer, Mriya Global Limited

· Chester Yap, VP – APAC Business Development, Next Wave Energy Monitoring

Panelists agreed that increasing renewable penetration is significantly raising grid uncertainty, making real-time monitoring and digital dispatch systems critical infrastructure for asset profitability.

Chester Yap emphasized that high-resolution data and monitoring platforms are evolving from visualization tools into decision-making systems that directly impact revenue performance.

Eric San Pedro highlighted that AI-driven forecasting and dispatch optimization are bridging the gap between operational performance and financial returns, enabling 24/7 renewable energy integration.

Speakers also discussed automation, O&M optimization, and execution constraints, agreeing that competition will shift from capacity expansion to digital operational efficiency and system integration.

Overall, the panel concluded that the integration of AI, digital grids, and energy storage will define the next-generation power system.

Awards Ceremony:

At the closing session, Energy Box hosted a grand awards ceremony recognizing outstanding contributions in the renewable energy and storage sector. Awards were presented by Jackie Xu, Founder & Chief Analyst of Energy Box.

Individual Awards:

Lance Elison Dy (Netsolar Inc.) received the Renewable Energy Leader of the Year Award, recognizing his contributions to distributed energy development, business model innovation, and solar + storage deployment.

Jacqueline Castillo (Mabuhay Energy Corporation) received the Green Energy Prominent Women Award, recognizing her leadership in the Philippine energy sector and renewable energy development.

Jay Agbayani (Solar Home Supplies and Services) received the Renewable Energy Leader of the Year Award, recognizing his contribution to making solar energy more accessible, reliable, and cost-effective for households and businesses.

Corporate Awards:

Jiangsu Linyang Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd. received the Sustainability Leadership Enterprises Awards, recognizing its innovation in energy storage systems and smart energy solutions. The company focuses on grid-scale storage, C&I storage, and solar-storage microgrids, leveraging a vertically integrated value chain and 3S Integration technology (BMS + PCS + EMS).

Beijing HyperStrong Technology Co., Ltd. received the Powering Tomorrow’s World Enterprises Awards, recognizing its global leadership in energy storage system solutions. The company operates 5 smart manufacturing bases, 3 R&D centers, 2 testing laboratories, and a global marketing center.

Suntech received the Smart Sustainability Solutions Awards, recognizing its technological innovation and long-term contributions in the global photovoltaic manufacturing sector. With a well-established global sales network and continuous technological iteration, Suntech continues to provide reliable and sustainable clean energy solutions to customers worldwide, consistently driving the global energy structure toward a low-carbon transition.

SKYWORTH Solar received the Best Solar Solutions Provider Award, recognizing its achievements in distributed solar systems, global expansion, and integrated energy solutions. The company leverages full industrial chain capabilities and BC high-efficiency cell technology to deliver one-stop renewable energy solutions.

FOX ESS received the Remarkable C&I Energy Storage Project of the Year Award, recognizing its innovative practices and strong project execution capabilities in commercial and industrial energy storage systems as well as distributed energy solutions. The company is committed to providing advanced distributed energy solutions and intelligent energy management systems for residential and C&I users, enabling full-process optimization across power generation, storage, and consumption, while continuously improving energy efficiency and reducing overall energy costs.

Cocktail Party:

At the closing cocktail reception, guests continued informal discussions and networking, further exploring cooperation opportunities and market trends.

The conference concluded successfully, reflecting the accelerating commercialization of solar and storage in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. Energy Box will continue to build a global energy dialogue platform and promote cross-regional collaboration to accelerate the clean energy transition.

Following the successful conclusion of the Philippines event, Energy Box will continue building high-level platforms for global energy industry exchange and collaboration. The next stop will be the 4th Solar & Energy Storage Future Germany 2026, taking place on 22 June 2026 at Munich Marriott Hotel City West, bringing together industry leaders and key stakeholders to further explore the latest trends, technologies, and market opportunities in the global solar and energy storage sector.