Solar power in Pakistan

Last updated

Solar potential of Pakistan Pakistan GHI Solar-resource-map GlobalSolarAtlas World-Bank-Esmap-Solargis.png
Solar potential of Pakistan

Solar power in Pakistan became part of the energy mix in 2013, following government policies aimed at supporting renewable energy development. Benefiting from nine and a half hours of sunlight daily, the country now has seven solar projects that contribute 530 MW to the national grid. Rising electricity costs and grid reliability concerns have driven industries, businesses, and urban homeowners to increasingly turn to solar solutions, including rooftop photovoltaic installations. [1]

Contents

The country has solar plants in Pakistani Kashmir, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan. Initiatives are under development by the International Renewable Energy Agency, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Chinese companies, and Pakistani private sector energy companies. The Quaid-e-Azam Solar Power Park (QASP) was built in the Cholistan Desert, Punjab, in 2015 and has a 400 MW capacity. [2]

As electricity prices doubled from 2021 to 2024, Pakistanis have taken to installing solar panels around the country, importing $1.4 billion of panels from China in the first half of 2024. [3]

Solar resource

Solar irradiance in Pakistan is 5.3  kWh/m2/day. [4]

Government policy

Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, the Federal Minister of Water & Power of Pakistan, announced on 2 July 2009 that 7,000 villages would be electrified using solar energy by 2014. Senior adviser Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa stated that the Punjab government would begin new projects aimed at power production through coal, solar energy and wind power; this would generate additional resources. [5]

The Government of Pakistan allowed the provincial government of Sindh to conduct feasibility research. The government planned to install a desalination plant powered by solar energy. [6]

On 21 May 2022, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the removal of 17 per cent general sales tax on solar panels. [7]

The World Bank reports that Pakistan possesses a solar power potential of 40 GW and has set a goal to achieve 20% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025. To promote the use of solar energy, Pakistan has introduced incentives, including net metering and feed-in tariffs. [8] Net metering allows small systems to have a payback period of just 2-4 years. [9]

The Sindh and Punjab provincial governments announced policies in 2024 to provide free or subsidized solar panels to low income residents to reduce their electricity costs. [3]

Projects

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power by country</span>

Many countries and territories have installed significant solar power capacity into their electrical grids to supplement or provide an alternative to conventional energy sources. Solar power plants use one of two technologies:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power in Australia</span>

Solar power is a major contributor to electricity supply in Australia. As of December 2023, Australia's over 3.69 million solar PV installations had a combined capacity of 34.2 GW photovoltaic (PV) solar power. In 2019, 59 solar PV projects with a combined capacity of 2,881 MW were either under construction, constructed or due to start construction having reached financial closure. Solar accounted for 12.4% of Australia's total electrical energy production in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power in India</span>

India's solar power installed capacity was 89.43 GW AC as of 31 August 2024. India is the third largest producer of solar power globally.

For solar power, South Asia has the ideal combination of both high solar insolation and a high density of potential customers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power in the United Kingdom</span>

Solar power has a small but growing role in electricity production in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power in California</span>

Solar power has been growing rapidly in the U.S. state of California because of high insolation, community support, declining solar costs, and a renewable portfolio standard which requires that 60% of California's electricity come from renewable resources by 2030, with 100% by 2045. Much of this is expected to come from solar power via photovoltaic facilities or concentrated solar power facilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power in New Jersey</span> Overview of solar power in the U.S. state of New Jersey

New Jersey has over 4,700 MW of installed solar power capacity as of January 2024, which provides more than 7% of the state's electricity consumption. The's state's growth of solar power is aided by a renewable portfolio standard that requires that 22.5% of New Jersey's electricity come from renewable resources by 2021 and 50% by 2030, by incentives provided for generation of solar power, and by one of the most favorable net metering standards in the country, allowing customers of any size array to use net metering, although generation may not exceed annual demand. As of 2018, New Jersey has the sixth-largest installed solar capacity of all U.S. states and the largest installed solar capacity of the Northeastern States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power in Hawaii</span> Overview of solar power in the U.S. state of Hawaii

The energy sector in Hawaii has rapidly adopted solar power due to the high costs of electricity, and good solar resources, and has one of the highest per capita rates of solar power in the United States. Hawaii's imported energy costs, mostly for imported petroleum and coal, are three to four times higher than the mainland, so Hawaii has motivation to become one of the highest users of solar energy. Hawaii was the first state in the United States to reach grid parity for photovoltaics. Its tropical location provides abundant ambient energy.

Renewable energy in Pakistan is a relatively underdeveloped sector; however, in recent years, there has been more and more interest to explore renewable energy resources for the energy production. Around 10.57% of Pakistan’s total installed power generation capacity comes renewables. Most of Pakistan's renewable energy comes from hydroelectricity. As per the vision of the Prime Minister, there is the aim to “induct 20% of RE by the year 2025 and 30% of RE by the year 2030.”

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power in Massachusetts</span> Overview of solar power in the U.S. state of Massachusetts

Solar power in Massachusetts has been increasing rapidly, due to Section 1603 grants for installations that began before December 31, 2011, and the sale of SRECs for $0.30/kWh, which allows payback for the system within 5 or 6 years, and generates income for the life of the system. For systems installed after December 31, 2011, and before December 31, 2016, the 30% tax grant becomes a 30% tax credit. There has been an appeal to the Congress to extend the 1603 program, the grant program, for an additional year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power in South Africa</span> Overview of the use of solar power in South Africa

Solar power in South Africa includes photovoltaics (PV) as well as concentrated solar power (CSP). As of July 2024, South Africa had 2,287 MW of installed utility-scale PV solar power capacity in its grid, in addition to 5,791 MW of rooftop solar and 500 MW of CSP. Installed capacity is expected to reach 8,400 MW by 2030.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power in Rhode Island</span> Overview of solar power in the U.S. state of Rhode Island

Solar power in Rhode Island has become economical due to new technological improvements and a variety of regulatory actions and financial incentives, particularly a 30% federal tax credit, available through 2016, for any size project. A typical residential installation could pay for itself in utility bill savings in 14 years, and generate a profit for the remainder of its 25 year life. Larger systems, from 10 kW to 5 MW, receive a feed-in tariff of up to 33.45¢/kWh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power in Indiana</span> Overview of solar power in the U.S. state of Indiana

Solar power in Indiana has been growing in recent years due to new technological improvements and a variety of regulatory actions and financial incentives, particularly a 30% federal tax credit for any size project.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power in West Virginia</span> Electricity from sunlight in one U.S. state

Solar power in West Virginia on rooftops can provide 23% of all electricity used in West Virginia from 6,300 MW of solar panels, but West Virginia will be the last state in the United States to reach grid parity - the point where solar panels are cheaper than grid electricity - without incentives, due to the low cost of electricity - about $0.062/kWh. The point where grid parity is reached is a product of the average insolation and the average cost of electricity. At $0.062/kWh and 4.3 sun-hours/day, solar panels would need to come down to ~$1,850/kW installed to achieve grid parity. The first state in the US to achieve grid parity was Hawaii. Solar power's favorable carbon footprint compared to fossil fuels is a major motivation for expanding renewable energy in the state, especially when compared to coal to generate electrical power.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power in Iowa</span> Overview of solar power in the U.S. state of Iowa

Solar power in Iowa is limited but growing, with 137 megawatts (MW) installed by the end of 2019 and 27 MW installed during that year, ranking the state 40th among U.S. states. Iowa also generated 0.23% of the state's total electricity production in 2019 from solar energy; an amount sufficient to power over 17,000 Iowa homes. The state's early position as a major wind-power provider may have limited early large-scale solar investment.

Solar power in North Dakota has been a little-used resource. The state ranks last on installed solar power in the United States, with .47 MW of installed capacity. Solar on rooftops can provide 24.6% of all electricity used in North Dakota from 3,300 MW of solar panels. The most cost effective application for solar panels is for pumping water at remote wells where solar panels can be installed for $800 vs. running power lines for $15,000/mile.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power in Oklahoma</span> Overview of solar power in the U.S. state of Oklahoma

Solar power in Oklahoma can provide 44.1% of all electricity used in Oklahoma from 19,300 MW of rooftop solar panels. This scenario is extremely unlikely though because the cost of electricity in Oklahoma is among the lowest in the nation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power in New Hampshire</span> Overview of solar power in the U.S. state of New Hampshire

Solar power in New Hampshire provides a small percentage of the state's electricity. State renewable requirements and declining prices have led to some installations. Photovoltaics on rooftops can provide 53.4% of all electricity used in New Hampshire, from 5,300 MW of solar panels, and 72% of the electricity used in Concord, New Hampshire. A 2016 estimate suggests that a typical 5 kW system costing $25,000 before credits and utility savings will pay for itself in 9 years, and generate a profit of $34,196 over the rest of its 25-year life. A loan or lease provides a net savings each year, including the first year. New Hampshire has a rebate program which pays $0.75/W for residential systems up to 5 kW, for up to 50% of the system cost, up to $3,750. However, New Hampshire's solar installation lagged behind nearby states such as Vermont and New York, which in 2013 had 10 times and 25 times more solar, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power in Tennessee</span> Overview of solar power in the U.S. state of Tennessee

Solar power in Tennessee is capable of producing much of the state's electricity; however, the industry remains in early stages in the state. With 129 MW of solar power in 2015, Tennessee ranked 20th among states for installed solar capacity.

The Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park is a photovoltaic power station in Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan, named in honor of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Founder of Pakistan. It is a 400 MW solar facility spanning an area of 8 km2 and hosting 1.6 million solar modules. The initial phase of the project was constructed by the Government of Punjab through a 100% owned subsidiary QA Solar in May 2015 at a cost of $131 million. On 5 May 2015, the then Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the first 100 MW project and dedicated it to the nation. Subsequent expansion was done in public-private partnership with Appolo Solar Development Pakistan Limited, Best Green Energy Pakistan Limited and Crest Energy Pakistan Limited each installing a 100 MW unit. The next phase of 100 MW will be installed by Zorlu Solar Pakistan (Pvt.) Limited, making it a 500 MW facility. Total planned capacity of the solar park is 1,000 MW.

References

  1. "Pakistan - Country Commercial Guide, Renewable Energy". International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. 12 January 2024.
  2. Ebrahim, Zofeen T. (8 September 2015). "World's largest solar park to light up Pakistan's future". Archived from the original on 8 December 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  3. 1 2 Jilani, Humza. "Chinese solar panel boom threatens Pakistan's debt-ridden grid". www.ft.com. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  4. "Potentials of Solar Thermal for Electricity use in Pakistan" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 February 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  5. "Dead link". Archived from the original on 15 May 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2009.
  6. "Dead link". Archived from the original on 15 May 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2009.
  7. Ayub, Imran (21 May 2022). "PM removes 17pc GST on solar panels". Dawn. Pakistan. Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  8. "Can Pakistan capitalise on solar as it becomes popular". The Express Tribune. 5 June 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  9. "The future of net-metered solar power in Pakistan". ieefa.org. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  10. "Pakistan gets first on-grid solar power station". Archived from the original on 5 June 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  11. "The Beaconhouse Times Online - Solar Panels Installed at Canal Side Campus". Tbt.beaconhouse.net. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  12. "Punjab, German firm ink solar energy MoU". Archived from the original on 14 September 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  13. "Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park: Solar energy's 100MW to arrive in April". The Express Tribune. 27 March 2015. Archived from the original on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
  14. "Progress of Net Metering in Pakistan upto October 31, 2021". aedb.org. Archived from the original on 14 May 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  15. "Expanding Renewable Energy in Pakistan's Electricity Mix". World Bank. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  16. "Development Projects : Sindh Solar Energy Project - P159712". World Bank. Retrieved 13 February 2024.