The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has announced its decision to frame rules and regulations for the installation of solar panels across Punjab.
In a letter issued to all deputy commissioners, the PDMA has directed district administrations to ensure safe installation of solar panels, particularly on rooftops and open structures. Officials have been instructed to begin drafting and implementing standardised guidelines immediately.
"Only certified and standard-compliant solar panels should be permitted for installation moving forward," stated the official correspondence. The PDMA has also emphasised the need for regular inspections to mitigate risks associated with unstable panel mounts and inferior materials.
Director General PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia noted that as much as 70 per cent of accidents reported during high winds and storms are linked to poorly installed or substandard solar panels. "In many cases, panels affixed to poles or lightweight structures have detached during storms, causing damage to property and injury to citizens," he said.
The move comes amid a broader national shift towards solar energy, driven by increasing electricity costs and power outages. However, the government’s recent decision to reduce the buyback rate under net-metering from Rs20 to Rs10 per unit has caused a slowdown in the otherwise booming solar market.
Solar panel prices in Pakistan - May 2025 latest
After years of unprecedented growth, Pakistan’s solar energy sector is experiencing a cautious slowdown, triggered by the government’s decision to slash the net-metering buyback rate to Rs10 per unit. However, May 2025 has brought some positive news for consumers as the prices of small to mid-scale solar systems, particularly batteries and inverters, have seen a modest decline.
Solar vendors across major cities including Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad report a dip in system prices compared to the previous quarter, making this a potentially favorable time for new installations—especially for households and small businesses looking to reduce their reliance on the national grid.
Updated Solar Panel Prices – May 2025
A breakdown of current market prices reveals that entry-level systems are more accessible than before:
| System Size | Total Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| 1KW | Rs175,000 – Rs180,000 |
| 3KW | Rs450,000 – Rs460,000 |
| 5KW | Rs500,000 – Rs550,000 |
Component-wise 1KW System Pricing:
-
550W Tier-1 N-type Solar Panel: Rs45,000
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Inverex Veryon 1.2KW Inverter: Rs75,000
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Battery: Rs28,000
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Installation & Accessories: Rs27,200
Despite a net-metering policy that experts say has curtailed investor enthusiasm, solar system costs—particularly for batteries and mounting structures—have softened, largely due to improved supply chains and increased local competition.
