Frequently asked questions
Solar shouldn't feel like a maze of jargon and pushy quotes. Here are clear answers to what homeowners and installers ask us most — about cost, accuracy, privacy, and how Apolaki actually works.
Is the assessment really free?
Yes — and it's free forever for homeowners. You can run your readiness report, explore different system sizes, and see your estimated savings without paying anything or entering a card. Apolaki earns from installer partners, not from you, so there's never a cost or an obligation to buy.
How accurate are the numbers?
We start from your real electricity bill, then layer on NASA POWER irradiance data and Google Solar rooftop analysis for your specific location. Every estimate shows the assumptions behind it, so you can see how we got there. It's a solid planning figure — your chosen installer confirms the final design after a site visit.
How long does it take?
Just a few minutes. Enter your location and a recent bill, and you'll get a readiness report with estimated system size, savings, and payback. You can come back anytime to refine it with more detail.
Do I need my MERALCO bill?
It helps a lot, but you're not stuck if it isn't handy. You can upload a photo of your bill and let Apolaki read it for you, or enter the figures manually. The more bills you add — especially across different months — the more accurate your estimate becomes.
How much does solar cost?
As a rough guide, installed residential solar runs around ₱50,000 per kilowatt — so a 5 kW system is roughly ₱250,000. Think of these as ranges, not fixed prices: your bill, roof, equipment, and installer all move the number. Apolaki sizes a system to your actual usage so you're not paying for more than you need.
What is the payback period?
For many Filipino homes, payback typically lands in the 3 to 5 year range. After that, the energy your panels produce is essentially free for the remaining 20-plus years of their life. Your exact payback depends on your bill, system size, and electricity rate — all of which your report takes into account.
Will solar power my home during a brownout?
Only if you add a battery or a hybrid inverter. A standard grid-tied system automatically switches off during an outage to protect utility crews working on the lines, so it won't run your home during a brownout. If backup power matters to you, mention it to your installer — they can design a hybrid or battery setup for those moments.
Is my data private?
Yes. Your data is encrypted, and it stays anonymised until you choose to connect with an installer — we call it "private until you connect." We follow the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (RA 10173), and you stay in control of what's shared and when.
Will I get spam calls?
No. Installers can't reach you directly. An introduction only happens when you decide you're ready and consent to it — the handoff is gated on your choice. Until then, you can explore quietly, with no sales calls and no inbox full of follow-ups.
What does Apolaki give installers?
Qualified, consented lead profiles — not raw contact lists. Each profile includes the homeowner's bill range, location, estimated system size, and where they are in their decision. You spend your time on people who are genuinely solar-ready, with the context to make a strong first proposal.
How is this different from buying leads?
Most lead lists sell volume; we focus on quality. Every profile is bill-backed, consent-driven, and decision-ready, so you're not paying for cold names or chasing people who never intended to buy. Fewer leads, but each one is a real opportunity.
Do homeowners contact us directly?
Not until they choose to. The connection is mediated — the homeowner stays anonymous until they consent to an introduction. That consent step is exactly what makes the resulting conversation warmer and more likely to convert.
What does it cost installers?
We're finalising the commercial model and are piloting a few approaches — a per-qualified-lead fee, a pilot subscription, and a success-based fee. The right fit depends on your size and how you sell. Reach out and we'll walk you through current options and onboard you for the pilot.
Can we list our portfolio and services?
Yes. Partners can publish a marketplace listing with their portfolio and services, and bid on opportunities that match their strengths. It's a place to show your track record to homeowners who are already past the "is solar worth it?" stage.
How do you vet installers?
Partners go through an onboarding and verification process before they can appear to homeowners. Throughout, the homeowner stays in control of who they connect with — keeping the marketplace trustworthy on both sides.
How do I join?
Tell us a little about your company and we'll get you started. Apply to become a partner and we'll reach out about onboarding, verification, and the current pilot terms.
What is Apolaki?
Apolaki is a digital solar readiness and partner-matching platform for Philippine homes and small businesses. It turns a confusing solar decision into a clear, bill-backed readiness report — easy for homeowners to understand, and structured enough for installers to act on. The name comes from Apolaki, the Filipino god of the sun.
What data sources do you use?
We combine NASA POWER solar irradiance data with Google Solar rooftop analysis, then anchor everything to your real electricity bill. That combination keeps estimates grounded in both the sunlight your location actually gets and the energy you actually use — not generic averages.
What is net metering?
Net metering lets you export surplus solar energy back to the grid in exchange for credits on your bill. Under DOE rules, systems up to 100 kW qualify — comfortably covering homes and small businesses. It's a big part of why a right-sized rooftop system pays for itself.
Where is Apolaki available?
Apolaki is built for the Philippines. It was created at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) and is operated by VESS Corp., based in Metro Manila. Our data and assumptions are tuned for Philippine conditions, from local sun-hours to net-metering rules.
Is there a mobile app?
The web app is live now, so you can run a full assessment from any browser today. Native iOS and Android apps are on the way. In the meantime, you can launch the web app on your phone or laptop.
Who built Apolaki?
Apolaki was founded by three students in the Master in Innovation and Business program at the Asian Institute of Management, operating as VESS Corp. You can read more about the team and our measurement-and-verification approach on the About page.
How do I contact you?
The quickest way is our contact page, or email us directly at jelegado.MIB2026B@aim.edu. Whether you're a homeowner with a question or an installer interested in partnering, we'd love to hear from you.
Still have a question?
If your question isn't covered here, reach out — or just run the numbers and see your solar readiness for yourself.