Last year alone, Pakistan imported solar panels with a total capacity of approximately 17 gigawatts, a significant leap quietly propelling the country closer to the world’s leading solar markets, according to a recent think tank study.
As global powers made promises and grabbed attention, Pakistan moved forward quietly, ending 2024 among the top countries bringing in solar panels.
A Clean Energy Shift No One Saw Coming
Even with power cuts and money problems, Pakistan is slowly becoming a surprising clean energy success — something almost no one expected, says The Independent.
A new report from the UK-based group Ember says Pakistan solar is now among the top countries using solar energy, after importing 17 gigawatts worth of solar panels within a single year.
Solar Imports Double as Local Demand Grows
Pakistan solar bought twice as many solar panels this year compared to last, showing how quickly the country is moving toward clean energy and joining the world’s top solar users.
What’s most surprising is that Pakistan’s big increase in solar panel imports isn’t the result of any big govt plan — it’s mostly happening on its own, driven by people and local demand.
Everyday Pakistanis Are Powering the Solar Boom
Most of the shift to solar energy is coming from everyday people — families, small business owners, and local shopkeepers — who are putting solar panels on their roofs to secure lower and more reliable power.
Across Pakistan, many families and small shops are turning to rooftop solar to get steady power at a lower cost. Moreover, experts in the country also support what Ember’s report says about this change.
Solar as a Survival Tool, Not a Trend
Muhammad Mustafa Amjad from Renewables told The Independent that Pakistan’s move to solar isn’t just for show. It’s a real solution for many. As grid electricity gets more expensive and unreliable, more people are using solar to power their homes and businesses.
He said this change isn’t just for now — it means people in Pakistan are starting to look at energy in a new and different way.
The Grid Must Catch Up With the People
Amjad shared that in 2024 alone, Pakistan bought so many solar panels that they could almost meet half of the country’s highest electricity use.
He pointed out that many homes and businesses now rely on rooftop solar panels for power. To keep up, the grid must be upgraded and adjusted.
