The sale of solar energy home systems, to get bill-free electricity to run fans, lights and other home appliances have almost doubled in Pakistan during the first nine months of 2012, compared to the corresponding period last year. The power crisis and reduction in prices of solar energy equipment following China’s entry in the solar equipment manufacturing industry are the primary reasons behind this increase in sale, Faisal Shazad, an expert on solar energy equipment, told APP on Sunday.
He said the import of solar energy equipment to Pakistan had started in bulk quantities since 2004-5. “At that time, their prices were out of the reach of the common man as they were imported from the US and Germany. Later, China entered the market as a competitor and prices of these items started dipping. Now the situation is such that Pakistani manufacturers have also started making some electrical equipment used for the systems which has also played a role in reducing overall prices of the energy systems,” he elaborated. He said Pakistan was an exceptionally sunny country and use of solar energy makes much sense for Pakistan for several reasons. “70% of Pakistan’s population lives in 50,000 villages that are far away from the national grid,” he added, citing this to support his claim. Top countries using solar energy are Germany (9,785 MW), Spain (3,386 MW), Japan (2,633 MW), United States (1,650 MW), Italy (1,167 MW), Czech Republic (465 MW), Belgium (363 MW), China (305 MW), France (272 MW) and India (120 MW), he said.
Sale of solar energy home systems doubles in a year
