Solar Panel prices likely to drop after customs revision

The price of solar panels in Pakistan has recently gone up due to the addition of a 10% sales tax. But there’s some good news for those looking to switch to green energy: the customs duty on imported solar panels has been reduced, which is expected to lower prices in the coming weeks.

This decision comes after months of pressure from the Pakistan Solar Association (PSA) and other industry groups. They argued that outdated customs valuations were harming the solar sector.

Now, importers are relieved as the Directorate General of Customs Valuation has officially reduced the import prices of solar panels.

Under the new Valuation Ruling No. 2012/2025, the assessed import price of solar panels has dropped to $0.08 per watt, a record low. This could be a game changer for Pakistan’s clean energy efforts.

Net Metering Policy Update

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stopped an official campaign aimed at changing the net metering policy for the third time. This policy allows homeowners to sell extra solar energy back to the grid.

Officials had planned to run a campaign to prepare the public for changes in the purchase price, but the PM’s office ordered them to halt their plans again. Civil society and solar users had strongly opposed earlier attempts to revise net metering rates.

Energy Minister Awais Leghari has said that a new plan will be presented soon after consulting all stakeholders. The revised plan might extend the payback period for solar investments from the current 1.5 years to 2–3 years.

This development comes as hybrid solar systems, which don’t feed energy back into the grid, are becoming more popular in Pakistan.

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