Solar Energy Apps in Pakistan

Considering the potential of solar energy in Pakistan, most of the solar energy applications used worldwide are expected to be very practical in the country.

Photovoltaic (PV)

Photovoltaics converts light into electricity using a semiconductor material that exhibits the photovoltaic effect. The photovoltaic effect is used commercially to generate electricity and as a photosensor.

Photovoltaic devices are known as cells. An individual photovoltaic cell is usually small and typically produces about 1 or 2 watts of power. 

Photovoltaic cells are linked together in strings to form larger units known as modules or panels. Several modules can be connected to form an array that can be connected to the mains via an inverter.

Photovoltaic (PV) is the mainstream and most widely used of solar energy technology. The total installed global solar PV electricity capacity has reached 773 GW. 

Solar PV accounts for 3.1% of global electricity generation and remains the third largest renewable power technology after offshore hydropower and wind.

The Government of Pakistan (GoP) is showing great interest in developing solar energy projects in the country. Currently, a total of six (06) Photovoltaic 

Solar Power Projects with a cumulative capacity of 430 MW have been commissioned and are supplying electricity to the National Grid. Four (04) solar photovoltaic projects with a cumulative capacity of 250 MW are under construction.

Recent advances in solar PV technology and cost reductions have made solar PV the most cost-effective choice for power generation. With this in mind, PDB plans to develop more than 7000 MW solar photovoltaic projects in the next 8 years (IGCEP 2021 reference).

Off-Grid Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Application

Solar PV technology can be implemented for various off-grid applications as follows:

Solar street light

Public lighting accounts for 350 MW of the country's total electricity consumption. This load is expected to reach around 500 MW in the coming days as new capacity is in the planning and design stages. All that charging can be converted into solar energy. 

Solar street lighting systems powered by solar photovoltaic modules can handle this load. The country's development authorities are exploring the possibilities for this change. Their planning department is currently working on the possibility of constructing all new public lighting installations using solar energy applications.

Commercial lighting (billboard lighting, search lighting, garden lighting, etc.)

As people's lifestyles change, the burden of commercial lighting increases. Provincial and municipal governments plan to shift all of this burden to solar energy. This represents a potential of around 10 MW for solar PV modules in the coming days.

Solar water pump

Irrigation systems in most arid agricultural areas depend on rainfall or water pumps. This load represents over 1,000 MW Currently, these pumps are powered by grid or diesel generators. The federal and provincial governments plan to shift this burden to solar energy. 

Efficient solar water pumps are available in the market. The company supplying the pump can be contacted to purchase photovoltaic modules.

Rural Electric

Under Pakistan's Roshan Program and Parliament's Rural Electricity Scheme, more than 8,000 villages have been electrified through renewable energy technologies. Much of this is done through solar home systems powered by solar photovoltaic modules. 

In addition, all provincial governments are also developing off-grid village electrification projects using solar PV technology.

Captured energy production through the application of photovoltaic solar energy

The government has allowed captive power generation through renewable energy. In this case, no permission or approval from any government authority is required. If financially suitable, solar photovoltaic modules may be the best choice for this purpose. prophesied