A homeowner's guide to switching to a Retail Electricity Supplier

Switching your electricity supplier sounds complicated — but for most homeowners, it takes about 15 minutes to check eligibility and less than one billing cycle to complete. This step-by-step guide walks you through the entire process, from your first question to your first lower bill.

Before you start

• You need to be in an area covered by a contestable consumer program or join through an aggregator like SunShare.
• You’ll need a recent electricity bill — the account number, meter number, and total charge are used in the process.
• Switching does not interrupt your electricity supply at any point.
• There’s no hardware to install and nothing to change in your home.

Step 1 — Check your eligibility

1. Check your distribution utility area

   SunShare currently serves customers under Meralco, VECO (Cebu), and select Electric Cooperatives in Bohol. If your DU isn’t listed, you can join the waitlist for when your area opens.

   Your DU’s name appears on your electricity bill, usually near the top. It’s also on your contract or meter.

2. Run the eligibility check

   Use the eligibility checker on our homepage. It takes about 90 seconds. Enter your monthly bill amount, your distribution utility, and your customer type (homeowner, HOA, business).

   The checker confirms whether you can join individually or need to aggregate with neighbors to reach the minimum threshold.

3. Understand your current rate class

   Your rate class is printed on your electricity bill — look for “Residential”, “Commercial”, or “Industrial”. This determines which tariff schedule applies to you and affects which savings phase you qualify for.

Step 2 — Gather your documents

You’ll need the following to complete your application. Having them ready before you start will make the process much faster.

1. Your most recent electricity bill

   The full bill — not just the summary page. You’ll need your account number, meter number, and the total charges for the billing period. If you have 3–6 months of bills, even better — it helps us give you more accurate projections.

2. A valid government-issued ID

   Any of: Passport, PhilSys (National ID), Driver’s License, SSS/GSIS ID, Voter’s ID, or PRC ID. A clear photo or scan is sufficient.

3. Proof of property (if you own the property)

   A copy of your Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) or Tax Declaration. If you’re renting, a copy of your lease agreement is acceptable instead. This confirms your legal right to change the electricity supply arrangement.

Renters: You can switch if your lease allows you to make utility supply changes, or if your landlord gives written consent. In practice, most DUs require the account holder (often the landlord) to authorize the switch. Contact us and we’ll help navigate this.

Step 3 — Complete your SunShare application

1. Upload your bill

   Use the “Get accurate analysis from my bill” button on the homepage. Our SunShare Insights reads your bill in seconds and generates a personalized savings report — your actual kWh, your exact rate class, and precise Phase I savings projections.

2. Review your savings report

   The report shows you exactly what you’d pay under each phase of SunShare membership — not estimates, but calculations based on your specific bill data. Take the time to read it. Our team is available to answer questions before you sign anything.

3. Sign the Retail Supply Agreement

   This is the contract between you and SunShare. It specifies your rate, the term, and the process for switching back if you want to. For residential customers, there’s no lock-in — you can return to your DU’s supply with one billing cycle’s notice.

   The agreement is sent electronically and can be signed online. You don’t need to visit any office.

Step 4 — The actual switch

Once your agreement is signed, SunShare coordinates directly with your distribution utility to complete the transfer. Here’s what happens behind the scenes — and what you’ll notice (or not notice):

1. DU notification (Week 1–2)

   SunShare submits your switch request to your distribution utility. The DU has up to 30 days to process this under ERC rules. In practice, Meralco and VECO typically process switches within 2–3 weeks.

2. Billing transition (Week 2–5)

   Your electricity supply continues without interruption throughout this process. Your meter isn’t touched. The only thing that changes is how the generation component of your bill is calculated — starting on the next billing cycle after the switch is confirmed.

3. Your first SunShare bill

   Your first bill as a SunShare member will show the new generation rate applied to your consumption. You’ll still receive a bill from your DU for distribution, transmission, and other regulated charges — those don’t change. Some customers receive a consolidated bill; others receive two separate statements depending on their utility.

“The most common reaction from new members after seeing their first bill: ‘That’s it? I thought it would be more complicated.’ The switch really is that simple.”

— SunShare Onboarding Team

Step 5 — After you switch

Once you’re a SunShare member, you get access to the SunShare dashboard — a web and mobile tool that shows your consumption history, benchmarks your usage against similar households, and tracks your accumulated savings over time.

What to do if you want to switch back: Simply contact SunShare and give one billing cycle’s notice. We’ll coordinate the return to your DU’s default supply. There’s no penalty for residential customers. The process is the reverse of the original switch and takes the same 30-day timeline.