Pakistan imported solar panels worth approximately $2.1 billion from China in the last fiscal year, totaling around 15 GW, according to a study titled “The Great Solar Rush in Pakistan” launched by Renewables First. The report reveals that this massive import is largely due to a 155% increase in electricity tariffs over the past three years, pushing households and industries toward solar solutions as an alternative to costly grid electricity.
As consumers increasingly adopt solar energy, grid electricity demand fell by 10.4% over the past year, a trend projected to continue. This shift underscores the need for grid modernization and demand forecasts to support decentralized energy generation, experts noted at the study’s launch on Thursday.
“Pakistan’s transition to solar energy is unique and consumer-driven,” stated global and local analysts, crediting the hike in electricity costs, falling technology prices, and strong solar import trends for the rapid adoption. The study highlighted Pakistan’s growing importance in renewable energy within the developing world, drawing parallels with trends in other emerging markets.
Jenny Chase, a solar analyst at Bloomberg NEF, praised Pakistan’s quick adaptation, noting, “Pakistan’s solar drive is impressive and is occurring at a rapid pace.” With 27 GW in imports since 2020, the country’s residential, industrial, and agricultural sectors have all shown substantial growth in solar uptake.
Syed Faizan Ali, from the Prime Minister’s Solarisation Committee, highlighted the operational challenges, stating, “With strong policy alignment, we can effectively manage and maximize this growth.”
The report also pointed to Pakistan’s distinct consumer-led model, which experts suggest could serve as a blueprint for decentralized, people-driven energy transitions in other nations. Sohaib Malik from BayWa r.e. remarked on the “convergence of factors fueling Pakistan’s solar adoption,” while Dave Jones from Ember Energy pointed to Pakistan as a transformative example for countries like South Africa, Brazil, and Nigeria.
Now ranking as the world’s 7th largest importer of Chinese solar panels, Pakistan imported 17 GW in 2024 alone. “This off-grid potential is unprecedented,” remarked Baldesh Singh, Principal Analyst at S&P Global, indicating that continued price declines in solar technology could further enhance off-grid adoption.
Danny Kennedy, a global cleantech entrepreneur, applauded Pakistan’s consumer-led energy shift, calling it “an inspiring model for other countries aiming to leapfrog to renewables.” Experts at the event agreed that Pakistan’s approach offers valuable insights for developing countries and paves the way for an increasingly solar-powered future as battery costs continue to decrease.
