Pakistan’s economy is in ruins, and to close the budget deficit, the government raises electricity consumption taxes annually. This scenario is evident from the recent growth in per unit.
Gas and furnace oil are among the fossil fuels that Pakistan uses to generate more than 60% of its total power. The government spent around 95 billion rupees a month in the fiscal year 2021–2022 to buy gas and furnace oil for the production of electricity. The nation’s economy as a whole is greatly impacted by such large import costs for fossil fuels. As a result, rising energy costs and rising prices for necessities affect the average person due to inflation.
Pakistan, on the other hand, has a great deal of potential for renewable energy sources, especially solar energy. As per World Bank data, installing solar panels would only require 0.071% of Pakistan’s total area to meet the country’s electricity needs. Pakistan is currently producing little over 2000 MW of electricity using solar power, and by 2030, this amount is expected to rise to over 10,000 MW.
We will emphasize the salient points in this blog post to bolster our query: Why is solar energy Pakistan’s best option?
In what ways is solar energy Pakistan’s best option?
Solar energy is Pakistan’s finest option for overcoming power interruptions and achieving better generation rates, almost in every way. But in order for it to actually be a workable answer for the nation, the government must continue to create laws that entice both domestic and foreign investors to make solar industry investments. Let’s examine how and why solar power is Pakistan’s best option.
Lots of sunshine
Solar panels run on sunlight, and what’s interesting about this fuel is that it’s infinitely renewable and comes at no cost. A country like Pakistan which receives plenty of sunshine hours has a higher potential for producing electricity from solar energy. Pakistan has seven to eight hours of sunshine a day on average, which is enough sunlight to generate the required amount of power at the most affordable prices. The installation of more solar installations holds the key to success.
Protection From Inflation
Unlike fossil fuels, which increase in price over time and result in increasing electricity costs, solar panels only cost you once. Because production facilities in Pakistan depend on energy, the cost of electricity has a direct impact on the cost of other necessities. Production facilities can eliminate power disruptions, increased monthly tariff rates, and the added expense of generator fuel by transitioning to solar energy. Better control over a percentage of the total installation costs is another benefit of solar energy plants.
Simple Obtainability
While not every company can construct a power station utilizing coal or other fossil fuels, anyone may install solar panels on their roof to conveniently get solar energy. Setup for solar energy installations in lahore doesn’t require a lot of equipment. Due to their simplicity of development in comparison to dams, solar energy facilities should be given priority by the government. Furthermore, residents are free to build their own power plant on their rooftops without any limitations.
Increased Employment
Due to a lack of both domestic and foreign investment in a number of areas, Pakistan ranks lowest in the world for employment generation. On the other hand, the younger generation could benefit greatly from solar energy in terms of employment chances. An increase in work opportunities is expected as new power plants for the production of solar system components are established in Pakistan. The economy as a whole will benefit from the rising need for solar system installers, designers, salespeople, and other related positions.
https://unisolar.pk/
Solar Panels Are Inexpensive
Day by day, solar panels are getting more and more economical. For around 4 to 5 lakh rupees, the typical Pakistani household can build a solar energy system in their house. A solar financing scheme is provided by the State Bank of Pakistan to further improve affordability. Eligible candidates may apply for financing under this plan from appropriate institutions for solar systems with capacities ranging from 1 kW to 100 kW.
Eco-friendly
Pakistan has very low total carbon emissions, although it is experiencing severe global warming and climate change. The recent floods, which impacted almost 70% of Pakistan, are a sobering reminder of the negative effects of climate change on the nation. One major cause of this continuing catastrophe is fossil fuels. Pakistan needs to move toward renewable energy sources in order to lessen the consequences of climate change given the severe circumstances that exist now. This shift is essential to averting catastrophes linked to climate change in the future.
The best course of action is to use less fossil fuel, which can be accomplished by switching to solar energy. Through the adoption of solar energy, Pakistan may lead the way towards a more sustainable and clean energy future, thereby reducing its susceptibility to the negative consequences of climate change.
Decreased Dependency on Imported Parts for the Generation of Power
Since coal, gas, and furnace oil account for more than 60% of our electricity production, a large amount of these resources are imported at higher rates from other nations. This raises the trade imbalance overall much more. However, since solar panels don’t require fuel to produce electricity, a solar energy system significantly lessens reliance on imports. The only components that would be imported would be those that could be produced domestically in the event that the government enacts laws to make it easier for companies in the solar industry to conduct business.
Pakistan’s Difficulties in Converting to Solar Energy
Pakistan has a great chance to use solar energy to produce a lot of electricity. Even with this knowledge, we still have trouble producing enough electricity from renewable sources. The adoption of solar energy in Pakistan has been impeded by various causes. Let’s look at each one individually.
Absence of infrastructure and restricted investment opportunities
The nation has a lot of potential for solar energy, but it lacks the fundamental facilities and physical infrastructure needed to develop solar energy in the nation. The difficulty of luring both global and indigenous capital to Pakistan’s solar sector is another factor. Furthermore, for a variety of reasons, the government is reluctant to provide enough funding to solar energy.
Absence of Government Assistance
The Pakistani government has not yet backed solar energy to the same extent as it has other renewable energy sources, such hydroelectricity. Solar enterprises may find it challenging to obtain financing and permissions as a result.
Technical Difficulties
Technical obstacles that must be removed in order for Pakistan to switch to solar energy provide another difficulty. One of the technical challenges is the effectiveness of solar panels, which can be impacted by shadowing and the amount of sunshine in different places. There is also a dearth of qualified labor; many people do not know how to install solar panels correctly, which leads to less effective solar systems. Inadequate rules are another factor impeding Pakistan’s move toward solar energy.
Unstable Politics
Since its founding, Pakistan has been plagued by political instability. Policies created by previous administrations either disappear or advance very slowly with each new one. The nation still produces less than 5% of its total electricity from renewable energy sources since no government has had a stable and consistent policy regarding solar energy.
Pakistan’s Solar Energy Sector and Alpha Solar’s Contribution
Alpha Solar has had both prosperous and difficult periods in Pakistan’s solar business, given its wide range of advantages, possibilities, and difficulties. Notwithstanding the ups and downs in the business, the company is dedicated to providing premium solar panel solutions at reasonable costs. Every government initiative targeted at developing solar energy in Pakistan has been enthusiastically welcomed by Alpha Solar. Its recent alignment with the financing policy of the State Bank of Pakistan and its connections to all Pakistani commercial banks demonstrate this commitment.
Alpha Solar is available to help if you have any questions regarding solar panel installations or would like more information about solar energy in Pakistan. To help with a smooth transition to solar energy, we offer free site surveys and free quotations. Please visit our office or give us a call at the number listed if you would like more information.
