Pakistan’s demand for solar panels is growing rapidly as rising electricity prices, load-shedding, and expensive power bills push both households and businesses toward renewable energy solutions.
Energy expert Engineer Noor Badshah has revealed that local assembly and manufacturing of solar panels is now starting in Pakistan.
He said that Pakistani company Net Line, in partnership with a Turkish firm, has launched a $30 million project near Islamabad to build a solar panel manufacturing plant with a production capacity of 180 megawatts per year.
The project is being completed in three phases, currently progressing in 2025, and is expected to become fully operational by 2026. Once launched, it will make “Made in Pakistan” solar panels a reality and reduce dependence on imports.
🔹 Chinese Firm Also Investing in Punjab
In a similar move, the Punjab government signed an agreement in August 2024 with AIKO, a leading Chinese clean energy technology company, to set up a large solar assembly and manufacturing plant in the province.
Engineer Kamran Rafiq said the progress is promising because when assembly lines start running and access to raw materials improves, prices will come down, imports will drop, and market competition will increase — giving consumers better value.
🔹 Government Tax Relief on Solar Panels
In the 2025–26 federal budget, the government removed all taxes on fully finished solar panels, while applying only 10% sales tax on assembled components.
However, experts note that distributors often add extra costs for installation, wiring, and delivery, which makes the final price higher than what’s mentioned in the official budget.
🔹 Current Solar Prices in Pakistan
Engineer Sharjeel Ahmed Silhari said that a 3-kilowatt grid-tied solar system currently costs around Rs. 90,000 per kilowatt, while hybrid systems cost between Rs. 150,000 and Rs. 170,000 per kilowatt.
He added that these prices include not just the panels, but also modern inverters, wiring, installation, and warranty — all essential parts of a complete solar setup.
🌞 The Future of Solar Energy in Pakistan
With local production, foreign investment, and tax reliefs, experts believe that solar power will soon become more affordable for the average Pakistani household.
These projects are expected to boost clean energy adoption, create local jobs, and strengthen Pakistan’s renewable energy industry in the coming years.
