Importance of Solar Energy in Pakistan

Statistics show that Pakistan receives between 5 to 7 kWh/m² of solar energy every single day.

Since Pakistan receives loads of sunlight daily, the solar power industry has immense growth potential. Not to mention, the importance of solar energy in Pakistan also depends on the benefits of solar energy. Pakistan has already been facing a severe energy crisis for the past several years due to industrial development and population growth, and solar energy can actually help address this gap in the energy supply. Conventional sources like fossils can’t meet these growing demands because they are finite, leading to frequent power outages. This ultimately affects daily activities for people across the country as well as economic growth – and not in a good way.

This article explores the importance of solar energy in Pakistan, the benefits of solar energy, and the potential impact it can have on the general public.

The Importance of Solar Energy in Pakistan

Pakistan is uniquely located in the sense that it receives lots of sunlight, with some cities having extremely hot temperatures for extended periods of time. This makes solar energy an ideal alternative source of energy for Pakistan. Even the government is pushing for people to shift to solar power because of potential benefits. Unfortunately, solar panel installation and maintenance are very expensive, meaning it’s not a viable option for most of the population. Solar energy can only be considered a viable alternative energy source for Pakistan when the equipment becomes affordable. Still, once installed, solar panel systems can save you enough to pay back their initial cost, but that will take time. Considering current high inflation rates, the general public can’t really afford solar-powered solutions. However, based on the importance of solar energy in Pakistan, the government is working on a National Solar Policy to provide low-cost solar system equipment to the population in order to deal with the ongoing energy crisis.

Benefits of Solar Energy

To help you understand the importance of solar energy in Pakistan, we’ve listed the benefits of solar energy below:

Clean Energy

Unlike other energy sources, especially coal and fossil fuels, solar energy is clean and green because it doesn’t harm the environment. It doesn’t emit greenhouse gases or contribute to global warming and climate change. This means shifting to solar power instead of traditional electricity sources can help Pakistan effectively reduce its carbon footprint and also somewhat mitigate the disastrous effects of climate change.

Renewable and Sustainable Energy

Solar energy is renewable because of abundant sunlight, which means we don’t have to worry about running out. So, countries relying on solar panel systems can ensure a continuous, reliable, and sustainable energy supply to meet their energy needs. This is especially important for a country like Pakistan, where power and gas outages are common due to electricity shortages.

Cost-Effective Energy

Despite its initial installation cost, solar energy is actually cost-effective. In fact, when you have excess energy stored in your solar panels, you can sell it to the grid and make money. The money you “earn” against excessive power will be subtracted from the payment you owe for utility bills, which means you can significantly reduce your utility bills. Besides long-term savings, solar panels can last 25 to 30 years and don’t require a lot of maintenance. So, once you’ve installed a solar energy system, you won’t need to worry about power supply for at least two to three decades. What’s more, advances in technology can reduce equipment and installation costs for solar panel systems, making them further economically viable.

Job Creation

Many Pakistanis are unemployed because of overpopulation and economic crisis, and if the solar power industry becomes well-established in Pakistan, it will likely create many job opportunities. And no matter how small, this will obviously contribute to improving the country’s economic situation.

Economic Impact of Solar Energy in Pakistan

Adopting solar energy systems can reduce Pakistan’s dependence on fossil fuels, saving foreign exchange that can instead go towards developmental projects. In fact, such projects can attract foreign investors and further boost the economy. Additionally, generating electricity from solar panel systems is a cost-effective procedure that will reduce consumption costs for the general public. And, as we mentioned before, technological advances might actually make solar system equipment and installation a lot more affordable in the coming years – and that’s yet another benefit!

Challenges to Adopting Solar Energy in Pakistan

Despite knowing the importance of solar energy in Pakistan and its potential for positive impact, there are significant challenges to Pakistan adopting solar energy on a large scale. These include:

• High upfront costs for installation
• Limited awareness in the general public
• Lack of skilled manpower
• Inadequate infrastructure

We’ve already discussed how advances in technology can help somewhat reduce equipment and installation charges, but the Pakistani government will need to work actively to create awareness and train individuals to work in the energy sector. International collaborations and private organizations have also been useful in accelerating the transfer of modern solar technology, so Pakistan should fully utilize them in this regard.

Solar Energy Projects in Pakistan

The government of Pakistan has launched various incentives to encourage people to switch to solar power, such as:

• Net metering
• Tax exemptions
• Subsidized loans

Additionally, they’ve initiated several projects like the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park and the Shams Power Company in Bahawalpur, the Sachal Energy Development Project in the Desert, and the Dawood Wind Power Project in Sindh. The common goal of these projects is to push for sustainable energy usage and to promote local economic development. In fact, the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park is set to be among the largest solar power projects in the world, with a capacity of around 1,000 MW.

Invest in the Future of Solar: DSG

Now that you know the importance of solar energy in Pakistan well enough, the next step is to find the right solar panel system installation service – but wait right there!

Because we have just one word for you: DSG.

DSG is Pakistan’s leading solar panel provider service. We deal in all sorts of solar systems, panels, and inverters. So, get in touch with us at info@dsgenergy.com.pk today!