The solar power market in Pakistan has seen a surge in demand, dampening the sales of traditional power backup solutions like generators and Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) systems, Dawn reported.

While citing industry sources, the news outlet reported that the increased import and falling prices of solar panels, especially from China, have encouraged consumers across the country to install solar power systems to offset their high electricity bills.

Solar panel dealers report significantly higher business compared to last year, while generator and UPS dealers are struggling to find buyers. According to one of the dealers in Karachi, the UPS used to rule the market when battery prices were lower. But the situation has changed as the booming sales of solar panels have overshadowed the need for such backup power solutions.

The trend is not limited to the residential sector, as the corporate, industrial, educational and commercial sectors are also rapidly shifting to solar power to reduce overhead costs.

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Another dealer has said that solar panel prices have dropped significantly, with a 5kW system now costing Rs700,000 to Rs750,000 compared to over Rs 1.1 million last year. Similarly, a 3kW system is now available for Rs400,000 to Rs450,000, down from Rs500,000 previously.

However, industry experts warn that the prices of inverters and batteries have not seen a similar decline, which is still a hurdle for consumers looking to fully transition to solar power. The government is being urged to provide subsidies to encourage wider adoption of solar energy solutions.