Advancing Domestic Solar Manufacturing in Pakistan Insights from NEAN Meeting
**Experts Call for Swift Policy Action to Boost Domestic Solar Manufacturing in Pakistan**
A recent online meeting of the National Energy Academic Network (NEAN) brought together experts, academics, and industry professionals to discuss pathways for advancing domestic solar manufacturing in Pakistan. The session, titled “Advancing Domestic Solar Manufacturing: Panels, BoS, and Policy Pathways,” highlighted both the challenges and opportunities facing the local solar industry and underscored the urgent need for policy approval and implementation to support the manufacturing of solar photovoltaic panels, batteries, and inverters within the country.
Hosted by Dr. Nadia Shahzad, Associate Professor at the US-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Energy (USPCAS-E), the event featured a presentation by Ms. Sehar Bokhari, Research Associate at USPCAS-E. Ms. Bokhari outlined the main findings from a research study titled “Crafting Sustainable Business Model to Drive Indigenous Solar PV Panels Manufacturing in Pakistan,” which examined the viability and strategies for strengthening local production capabilities.
Panelists addressed several pressing challenges, including global competition and regulatory constraints. Dr. Muhammad Dawood, Associate Professor at Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU) Multan, emphasized the impact of China’s policy of taxing raw material exports, making it costlier for other nations and diminishing the competitiveness of Pakistan’s solar industry. Dr. Shafqat Hussain, Lecturer and PhD Researcher at Mehran University of Engineering & Technology (MUET), noted the timeliness of the study as Pakistan experiences a rapid expansion in solar energy adoption. He stressed the importance of implementing certification mechanisms for local sellers to enhance consumer trust and ensure product quality.
Discussing the recommended business model, Ms. Qandeel Rehman, Program Officer at TARA Climate Foundation, advised taking an incremental approach—starting with small-scale panel production tailored for the domestic market before moving towards exports. Dr. Muhammad Yousaf, Assistant Professor at USPCAS-E, NUST, advocated for the adaptation of international best practices to create solutions aligned with Pakistan’s specific circumstances. Ms. Mamoona Nabi, Senior Research Associate at IDSP, applauded the research team’s efforts and called for accelerated policy development to empower the local manufacturing sector.
The session concluded with a consensus that now is the critical moment for government action to approve and implement supportive policies for the local production of PV panels, batteries, and inverters. Mr. Syed Shabir Ahmed, NEAN Focal Person, extended his gratitude to all participants and collaborators, stressing the importance of continued cooperation to advance Pakistan’s renewable energy landscape.
