Pakistan becomes world’s largest solar panel importer in 2024

In 2024, Pakistan emerged as the world's largest importer of solar panels, with a remarkable total of 17 gigawatts imported in a single year. This surge in solar panel imports is notable because it occurred without a major national initiative, investment blitz, or government-led green revolution. Instead, the rise of rooftop solar installations among households and businesses points to a significant change in how energy is viewed and utilized in the country, largely driven by the need for more affordable power in response to ongoing energy crises and high tariffs. The increase in solar energy adoption follows years of worsening power cuts and rising costs associated with traditional fossil fuels and diesel generators. With the reality of unstable grid power, many Pakistanis began to independently install solar technologies without waiting for government reforms or reliance on subsidies. Experts highlight this transition as a structural shift in Pakistan's approach to energy, where self-generating power has become a viable solution for households and enterprises alike. The growing reliance on solar panels also presents challenges for grid operators and utility companies who are struggling to adapt to widespread self-generation. Urban residents, especially high-value customers, are increasingly generating their own electricity, utilizing the grid merely as a backup. This trend necessitates updated planning and regulatory frameworks to facilitate a smoother transition toward an energy landscape that accommodates distributed generation. The current scenario is characterized by a mix of opportunity and challenge as stakeholders navigate this major shift in energy production and consumption. Ultimately, the experience of Pakistan serves as a pivotal example for other emerging economies, illustrating a bottom-up approach to energy transition. The success of solar energy adoption in the country underlines the potential for other nations in the Global South to pursue similar pathways for clean and affordable energy access without relying solely on traditional models of centralised government action and significant public investment.