What's behind Pakistan's solar energy boom?

Electricity in Pakistan is expensive and unreliable. Could turning to solar power help residents overcome these challenges?

Transcript

00:00This is one of the reasons that I shifted to solar panels.

00:14I have a lot of load-shedding in my brain.

00:29So I wanted to go to alternative sources of energy, be it UPS or a generator.

00:36The major part is the inconvenience of having 40 plus temperature in Karachi.

00:42At any given moment, I have to move frequently to shift the energy source.

00:51This is sustainable. I know that once it is installed, I am good to go for the next 15 years.

01:00This is the green energy. The world is shifting towards it.

01:04It is sustainable and environmentally friendly.

01:17If you look at this heat, you can't even sit in load-shedding without electricity.

01:24Solar is doing a good job in this situation.

01:27Demand is increasing day by day.

01:35You will see solar wherever you go.

01:42Those who have a roof and get sunlight will go to solar.

01:46All the schools and hospitals have gone to solar.

01:52Jails and universities have gone to solar.

02:04The price of solar panels was Rs. 125 per watt.

02:10Now it is Rs. 40.

02:14Those who are not able to afford a big system are also coming to solar.

02:28There are many countries like Germany and Turkey.

02:34But the product that is coming to Pakistan is coming from China.

02:3890% of the product is coming from China.

02:53We are trying to save the climate.

02:58We have asked big companies to support us.

03:02We have asked them to come here and start a solar industry.

03:07So that we don't have to import solar panels.

03:13We will definitely support them.

03:16We will support them in terms of land prices and other taxes.

03:20But no other subsidy is being given.