Pakistan and its Solar Revolution

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In a country battling economic turbulence, power shortages, and climate extremes, Pakistan is quietly leading one of the fastest solar revolutions in the world — and it’s being driven not by the government, but by everyday people. With Chinese solar panels flooding the market, Pakistan imported a staggering 17 gigawatts of solar tech in 2024, making it the third-largest importer globally. From sprawling cities like Karachi to rural village rooftops, solar panels are now a common sight.

Unlike large-scale solar farms seen in other countries, Pakistan’s solar rise is a bottom-up movement. With electricity prices soaring by 155% over the past three years, and power outages a daily occurrence, households and small businesses have turned to solar as a lifeline. From village tire shops to farmers converting irrigation pumps, cheap panels are allowing people to generate their own power for the first time. Analysts describe the change as “mind boggling” — a grassroots energy transition happening in real time.

But this rapid transition isn’t without challenges. The traditional power grid is at risk of a “death spiral,” as more people exit the system, increasing the financial burden on those left behind. And while solar may seem accessible, it’s still only viable for those who can afford the upfront investment, deepening inequalities between Pakistan’s rich and poor.

Still, Pakistan’s solar experiment is capturing global attention. It defies the myth that renewables only thrive with heavy subsidies. As energy costs climb and the climate crisis worsens, Pakistan may be offering a glimpse into a future where clean energy isn’t just a policy — it’s a people’s movement.