Who we are · how vetting works

Why Brownout exists

A brownout is the one household problem every Filipino family shares and nobody has a plan for. We built the thing that was missing: a first stop that starts with the cheapest step that works tonight.

Free tools. Real solutions.

The mission

Philippine households pay some of the most expensive electricity in Southeast Asia, sit under some of its best sunshine, and face brownouts that make backup power a real household need. Brownout's job is to be the first stop: honest math with visible assumptions, licensed pros with checkable credentials, and plain-language guides — so you can decide with the numbers in front of you.

The calculator credits exported solar at the real (lower) net-metering rate, not the flattering retail rate. Every peso figure carries the date we checked it. Anything we couldn't verify is labeled, not asserted.

Who's behind it

Brownout is built by Mata Technologies (a Philippine software and creative group). It covers homes nationwide.

How directory vetting works

Anyone can apply for a free listing. The ✓ Verified by Brownout badge is earned, and here is the entire checklist — public, so pros know the bar and homeowners know what the badge means:

PRC license check (mandatory). Every claimed PEE, REE or RME license is checked at verification.prc.gov.ph — name match, Active status, unexpired. We record the check date; the badge shows it, and it expires when the license does.
Plan-sealing capability. For installers: a named PEE (in-house or formally engaged) must sign and seal permit plans — no PEE, no permit, no legitimate install.
Business legitimacy. DTI or SEC registration plus a current mayor's permit.
Registrations, honestly labeled. DOE Solar PV Installer Registry listing shown as "DOE-registered" (the DOE explicitly doesn't endorse installers, so neither phrase will ever say "accredited"). TESDA PV Systems Installation NC II certificates verified via the TESDA registry.
Track record. Two to three completed residential references, with redacted inspection (CFEI) or net-metering approval documents.
Delisting policy. Lapsed license, misrepresented credentials, or a pattern of substantiated complaints = badge removed, then listing removed. Verification is a snapshot, not a guarantee of workmanship — always get a written quote and warranty.

What the credentials mean (plain language)

PEE

Professional Electrical Engineer — the most senior electrical license. The only professional legally allowed to sign and seal the electrical plans your city hall requires. Any legitimate installer has one on the team or formally engages one.

REE

Registered Electrical Engineer — board-passed engineer who designs systems and supervises electrical work of any size. Can't seal permit plans (only a PEE can), but is the engineering brains behind many installations.

RME

Registered Master Electrician — the licensed hands-on pro who should actually be doing the work on your roof and panel board. Home solar is well within an RME's authority; very large systems require engineer supervision.

What this site measures

We use Google Analytics to count visits and see which pages help people. It sets cookies in your browser. It records the pages you open, your type of device and your rough location, down to the city. It does not tell us your name. We do not sell this data or share it for advertising.

Corrections

Sample data on the site is always flagged as sample data. Corrections to guides are logged on the guide itself.

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