Pakistan Solar Power: News & Updates

[sutton9999]

The whole world is assembling Chinese components (at different levels) when comes to Solar.

 

[Michael]

Pakistan’s solar rush unlocked $17-19bn in private investment in 8 years: study​

• In FY25 alone, solar mobilised $5-6bn, emerging as one of Pakistan’s strongest channels of private capital, study ‘The Many Dividends of Solar Rush in Pakistan’ says

Rehan Ayub
Published December 12, 2025

View attachment 165082

Pakistan’s solar rush has unlocked $17-19 billion in private investment between FY17 and FY25, driven by household savings, rooftop systems, and the expansion of EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) and installation services, according to a study released on Friday.

In FY25 alone, solar mobilised $5-6 billion, emerging as one of the Pakistan’s strongest channels of private capital, the study ‘The Many Dividends of Solar Rush in Pakistan’, launched by think tank Renewable First said.

“This surge in activity has generated 300,000 direct and 200,000 indirect jobs, strengthening service industries, supply chains, and rural electrification efforts,” the study stated.

It highlighted that the mass-scale adoption of solar photovoltaic (PV) was not only reducing fossil dependence and easing grid strain but also mobilising private capital, creating jobs, and cutting emissions at scale.

Pakistan’s solar surge lifts it into rarefied 25% club

As Pakistan grapples with mounting climate risks, including the recent devastating monsoon floods, distributed solar continues to deliver one of the country’s strongest mitigation outcomes.

“In FY25, solar PV avoided an estimated 35 million MtCO₂-eq, pushing cumulative avoided emissions since FY17 to over 83 million MtCO₂-eq.”

At the current trajectory, Pakistan could avoid 50 million MtCO₂-eq annually by FY30, avoiding more emissions than the total currently produced by the country’s entire power sector, according to the study.

Pakistan’s rapid solar uptake has positioned it as the second-largest global importer of Chinese solar panels in FY25, bringing in 17.9GW, with cumulative imports surpassing 50GW, as per the stats given by the study.

Households, farms, and industries are increasingly shifting to solar as “it makes financial sense because of rising grid tariffs and expensive imported fuels”.

“Amid Pakistan’s worsening economic and employment challenges, the country’s solar rush is delivering clear cross-sectoral dividends, from declining thermal reliance to new economic activity and the creation of much-needed jobs,” noted Muhammad Sheraz, Energy Analyst at Renewables First.

“These outcomes are not only transforming the energy sector but also laying the foundation for substantial economic growth.”

With the deployment of an estimated 32GW of solar PV, the report found that Pakistan could potentially generate 42TWh of distributed electricity annually, equivalent to 38% of current grid sales.

This rapid growth in behind-the-meter generation is eroding the role of conventional power plants.

Imported coal has seen the sharpest decline, the study mentioned, with utilisation falling from 78% to just 11% between FY22 and FY24.

“RLNG plants have dropped from 51% to 31%, while local coal has eased from 81% to 70%. With RLNG cargoes for FY26–27 already cancelled and coal imports continuing to fall, these trends suggest a deep and structural shift in Pakistan’s fossil energy demand, driven not by policy mandates, but by the momentum of consumer-led solar adoption.”

BR RESEARCH: Solar imports slow, momentum will hold

The study suggested to align Pakistan’s power sector policies with the fast-growing reality of distributed energy resources. This included modernising grid and resource planning, undertaking tariff and market reforms suited to declining grid consumption, clarifying policies for distributed generation, storage, and flexible resources, and updating regulatory frameworks to enable a decentralised, consumer-driven energy future.

“Policies and planning frameworks must now keep pace with this shift to ensure the system is prepared for a rapidly changing energy landscape,” Sheraz noted.

物极必反！

Everything needs to develop in an orderly manner. Uncontrolled and reckless expansion leads to things swinging from one extreme to another. This is not a good idea.

Pakistan's current solar power industry is experiencing excessive expansion. The government needs to guide the industry towards healthy development and formulate relevant policies and regulations to prevent potential negative consequences.

 

[Fatman17]

Pakistan’s solar rush unlocked $17-19bn in private investment in 8 years: study​

• In FY25 alone, solar mobilised $5-6bn, emerging as one of Pakistan’s strongest channels of private capital, study ‘The Many Dividends of Solar Rush in Pakistan’ says

Rehan Ayub
Published December 12, 2025

View attachment 165082

Pakistan’s solar rush has unlocked $17-19 billion in private investment between FY17 and FY25, driven by household savings, rooftop systems, and the expansion of EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) and installation services, according to a study released on Friday.

In FY25 alone, solar mobilised $5-6 billion, emerging as one of the Pakistan’s strongest channels of private capital, the study ‘The Many Dividends of Solar Rush in Pakistan’, launched by think tank Renewable First said.

“This surge in activity has generated 300,000 direct and 200,000 indirect jobs, strengthening service industries, supply chains, and rural electrification efforts,” the study stated.

It highlighted that the mass-scale adoption of solar photovoltaic (PV) was not only reducing fossil dependence and easing grid strain but also mobilising private capital, creating jobs, and cutting emissions at scale.

Pakistan’s solar surge lifts it into rarefied 25% club

As Pakistan grapples with mounting climate risks, including the recent devastating monsoon floods, distributed solar continues to deliver one of the country’s strongest mitigation outcomes.

“In FY25, solar PV avoided an estimated 35 million MtCO₂-eq, pushing cumulative avoided emissions since FY17 to over 83 million MtCO₂-eq.”

At the current trajectory, Pakistan could avoid 50 million MtCO₂-eq annually by FY30, avoiding more emissions than the total currently produced by the country’s entire power sector, according to the study.

Pakistan’s rapid solar uptake has positioned it as the second-largest global importer of Chinese solar panels in FY25, bringing in 17.9GW, with cumulative imports surpassing 50GW, as per the stats given by the study.

Households, farms, and industries are increasingly shifting to solar as “it makes financial sense because of rising grid tariffs and expensive imported fuels”.

“Amid Pakistan’s worsening economic and employment challenges, the country’s solar rush is delivering clear cross-sectoral dividends, from declining thermal reliance to new economic activity and the creation of much-needed jobs,” noted Muhammad Sheraz, Energy Analyst at Renewables First.

“These outcomes are not only transforming the energy sector but also laying the foundation for substantial economic growth.”

With the deployment of an estimated 32GW of solar PV, the report found that Pakistan could potentially generate 42TWh of distributed electricity annually, equivalent to 38% of current grid sales.

This rapid growth in behind-the-meter generation is eroding the role of conventional power plants.

Imported coal has seen the sharpest decline, the study mentioned, with utilisation falling from 78% to just 11% between FY22 and FY24.

“RLNG plants have dropped from 51% to 31%, while local coal has eased from 81% to 70%. With RLNG cargoes for FY26–27 already cancelled and coal imports continuing to fall, these trends suggest a deep and structural shift in Pakistan’s fossil energy demand, driven not by policy mandates, but by the momentum of consumer-led solar adoption.”

BR RESEARCH: Solar imports slow, momentum will hold

The study suggested to align Pakistan’s power sector policies with the fast-growing reality of distributed energy resources. This included modernising grid and resource planning, undertaking tariff and market reforms suited to declining grid consumption, clarifying policies for distributed generation, storage, and flexible resources, and updating regulatory frameworks to enable a decentralised, consumer-driven energy future.

“Policies and planning frameworks must now keep pace with this shift to ensure the system is prepared for a rapidly changing energy landscape,” Sheraz noted.

Nothing to do with any government

 

[Liquidator]

Anyone on here with expertise on solar panels placement? I'm in the process of renovating my house, there will be a new roof design but I'm stuck between optimising interior space or ideal solar panel placement.

I can share the plans and you can provide insight....? Any help would be appreciated before I ask the architect to change the drawings for a 10th time....(he told me drawings can be changed until I'm happy so he shot himself in the foot!).

 

[Ali_Baba]

物极必反！

Everything needs to develop in an orderly manner. Uncontrolled and reckless expansion leads to things swinging from one extreme to another. This is not a good idea.

Pakistan's current solar power industry is experiencing excessive expansion. The government needs to guide the industry towards healthy development and formulate relevant policies and regulations to prevent potential negative consequences.

What is unhealthy about it ? If you ever heard stories of Pakistani paying their electricity bill, then you won't think there is anything unhealthy about it.

 

[Ali_Baba]

Anyone on here with expertise on solar panels placement? I'm in the process of renovating my house, there will be a new roof design but I'm stuck between optimising interior space or ideal solar panel placement.

I can share the plans and you can provide insight....? Any help would be appreciated before I ask the architect to change the drawings for a 10th time....(he told me drawings can be changed until I'm happy so he shot himself in the foot!).

Are you sure he is not charging you for every revision ?!

 

[Michael]

If you ever heard stories of Pakistani paying their electricity bill, then you won't think there is anything unhealthy about it.

You need to carefully understand my point of view.
I didn't say that Pakistan shouldn't vigorously develop solar energy. My point is that the development of solar energy needs to be done in an orderly manner.

What is unhealthy about it ?

Uncontrolled development in any industry can lead to extremely serious consequences.

In the case of the solar energy industry:

1. Political instability and economic risks. I shouldn't elaborate too much on this. If you can understand these words, you'll naturally understand what I'm trying to express. If you can't understand them, any explanation I give will be futile.

Political issues.
A government's ability to effectively control its population depends on the degree to which the people rely on the public services provided by the government.
The stronger the service capabilities of the public services controlled by the government, the stronger the government's control will be. Conversely, if the public services controlled by the government completely lose their ability to serve the people, this also means that the government loses its ability to control the people.

Government service capacity = Government control capacity​

Economic problems.
The fierce competition within the domestic market can lead to overdevelopment of industries. The ultimate consequences will not only fail to promote industrial development but will also result in a heavy economic burden.

2. Future generations will suffer the consequences. Simply put, this refers to the disposal and recycling process of energy storage batteries. If an efficient system for the disposal and recycling of energy storage batteries is not established before widespread adoption, the consequences will lead to extremely serious environmental pollution. The price paid for the benefits enjoyed by this generation will be suffering for future generations.
In recent years, the money China has spent on improving the environment far exceeds the profits earned from its economic development.

 

[Ali_Baba]

You need to carefully understand my point of view.
I didn't say that Pakistan shouldn't vigorously develop solar energy. My point is that the development of solar energy needs to be done in an orderly manner.

Uncontrolled development in any industry can lead to extremely serious consequences.

In the case of the solar energy industry:

1. Political instability and economic risks. I shouldn't elaborate too much on this. If you can understand these words, you'll naturally understand what I'm trying to express. If you can't understand them, any explanation I give will be futile.

Political issues.
A government's ability to effectively control its population depends on the degree to which the people rely on the public services provided by the government.
The stronger the service capabilities of the public services controlled by the government, the stronger the government's control will be. Conversely, if the public services controlled by the government completely lose their ability to serve the people, this also means that the government loses its ability to control the people.

Government service capacity = Government control capacity​

Economic problems.
The fierce competition within the domestic market can lead to overdevelopment of industries. The ultimate consequences will not only fail to promote industrial development but will also result in a heavy economic burden.

2. Future generations will suffer the consequences. Simply put, this refers to the disposal and recycling process of energy storage batteries. If an efficient system for the disposal and recycling of energy storage batteries is not established before widespread adoption, the consequences will lead to extremely serious environmental pollution. The price paid for the benefits enjoyed by this generation will be suffering for future generations.
In recent years, the money China has spent on improving the environment far exceeds the profits earned from its economic development.

There is no proper "goverment" in Pakistan, it is totally disfuctional to the needs of the population.

Things only get done, or improve when people have to take matters into their own hands.

 

[Michael]

There is no proper "goverment" in Pakistan, it is totally disfuctional to the needs of the population.

Things only get done, or improve when people have to take matters into their own hands.

Even if you disregard political and economic issues, please pay attention to environmental problems.

The disposal of energy storage batteries, including lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries, needs to be handled with caution. If managed haphazardly and discarded indiscriminately, it will cause very serious environmental problems.

 

[Liquidator]

Are you sure he is not charging you for every revision ?!

Nope
I made sure of it when contracts were exchanged...having said that, they probably factored in revisions in their original costings.

 

[SiliconBit (silicon0000)]

There is no proper "goverment" in Pakistan, it is totally disfuctional to the needs of the population.

Things only get done, or improve when people have to take matters into their own hands.

There is a proper "goverment" in Pakistan, it is totally fuctional in collecting bills, imposing heavy fines, taxes, duties and looting people in every way. Live in Karachi and witnesses all this. An unfortunate reality.

 

[ghazi52]

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[SiliconBit (silicon0000)]

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If people gets energy independence, then how govt. and elite gets money?

 

[ghazi52]

BR RESEARCH: ​

Solar adoption: An import lull, not a reversal​

BR Research
January 27, 2026



Pakistan’s solar panel imports have now posted two exceptionally weak months in a row, inviting a question that the market avoided after November: is this the start of a trend, or merely a pause in a market that ran too far, too fast?

According to Pakistan Single Window data, December 2025 solar panel imports fell to just $11.8 million, the lowest monthly figure in roughly four years, ever since solar imports began to register meaningfully in trade data.

This followed November’s $20 million, which at the time was already the weakest monthly showing in years. One soft month could be dismissed as noise. Two consecutive record lows warrant closer scrutiny.

For context, imports in the first six months of FY26 now stand at $453 million, down sharply from last year, marking a 41 percent year on year decline in value terms. In megawatt terms, the slowdown is still evident but less severe. Nearly 4,000 MW have been imported so far, a 22 percent decline compared to the same period last year.

The gap between value and volume continues to reflect price normalization and changing inventory strategies rather than a sudden collapse in underlying demand.

 

[ghazi52]

Policy uncertainty has undoubtedly injected caution into the market. Yet it is difficult to argue that rooftop solar has suddenly become uneconomic.

Even under less generous buyback assumptions, grid tariffs remain high enough for systems with reasonable self-consumption to deliver attractive payback periods. Nothing currently under discussion renders rooftop solar unviable in a fundamental sense.

A more compelling explanation lies in inventory dynamics. Cumulatively, Pakistan has imported close to 51 GW of solar panel capacity.



Even the most optimistic estimates place on ground installed capacity at around 33 GW. That implies roughly one third of imported panels, in the order of 17 to 18 GW, are still waiting to be deployed. This is an extraordinary amount of embedded capacity by any standard.

The inventory buildup was not accidental. Over the past two years, global module prices collapsed, eventually stabilizing around 9 cents per watt. Importers responded rationally by front loading purchases, betting that prices had bottomed out and that domestic demand would remain strong. That strategy left the market flush with panels. Once warehouses are full, there is little incentive to keep importing, even if installations continue at a healthy pace.