ISLAMABAD – The federal government is mulling to cut the tariff for the roof solar panel significantly amid massive decline in prices of solar panel and batteries.
The government is considering revising down the solar net metering tariff to Rs7.5-11 per unit as compared to existing price of over Rs21 per unit at which the government buys the electricity from holders of the solar system holders for national grid.
Currently, two units generated through solar panel system are equal to one unit of national grid electricity.
Expected New Solar Net Metering Rate
The government is likely to buy the electricity from rooftop solar panels at Rs7.5-11 per unit instead of current rate of over Rs21. However, the national grid will provide the electricity at the rate of Rs60 per unit t them during the night-time or peak hours.
If the rates are revised, six units generated through roof solar panels would be equal to one unit of grid electricity.
Discouraging Solarized Electricity
The move would discourage the installation of solar panels on roof by consumers as they will get less prices for their electricity and in return will pay higher rate for grid electricity.
It is recalled that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has expressed concerns over rising installation of solar panels in Pakistan for electricity generation as it would affect the capacity payments.
A recently launched study titled ‘The Great Solar Rush in Pakistan’ shows the South Asian country imported around 15GW solar panels worth $2.1 billion from China over the past fiscal year.
