How much does solar cost in Pakistan?

This became apparent last year, when solar imports to Pakistan more than tripled from just one year earlier, approaching $2.1 billion, according to data from Renewables First, an energy and environment think tank in Islamabad.

Why are low-price battery energy storage systems coming to Pakistan?

The combination of a glut of lithium, a key battery material, and overcapacity of lower-tier China-made batteries has created a flood of cut-price battery energy storage systems for lower-income countries such as Pakistan.

Is Pakistan tapping into solar power at an 'unprecedented' rate?

Pakistan is tapping into solar power at an 'unprecedented' rate. Here's why Solar panels on the rooftops of houses in Islamabad. Pakistan is in the midst of a solar boom that solar analysts describe as "unprecedented."

Why does Pakistan have a solar boom?

Pakistan's solar boom grows out of a decades-long power sector crisis, which has caused many Pakistanis to lose faith in the state's ability to consistently provide reliable electricity. The country has struggled to maintain its aging grid.

How has Pakistan regulated the solar industry?

The Pakistani government has already taken several steps to regulate the residential solar industry, including lowering the rate it pays for electricity that household solar setups produce. In June, the government also announced a 10% tax on imported solar panels into Pakistan — almost all of which come from China.

Will a tax on solar panels deter Pakistanis?

In June, the government also announced a 10% tax on imported solar panels into Pakistan — almost all of which come from China. Khalid Waleed, an energy economist at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute in Islamabad, says any tax on solar panels could deter Pakistanis who are on the brink of being able to afford this technology.