Pakistan’s Solar Revolution Is Booming — But It’s CRUSHING the Middle Class! Here’s the Truth They’re Not Telling You

Pakistan’s Solar Boom Is Real – But the Middle Class Is Paying the Price

KARACHI, Pakistan – May 2, 2025 – As Pakistan undergoes a dramatic solar transformation, millions are being left in the dark—literally. A silent war is being waged between the elite and the average citizen, and the battleground is electricity.

Pakistan’s elite have embraced the solar power revolution, installing cheap Chinese solar panels to escape skyrocketing electricity tariffs. But for the middle and working class, solar power remains out of reach, creating an alarming energy divide that experts warn could spiral into long-term socioeconomic chaos.

The Solar Revolution: A Lifeline for the Rich

It’s 40°C in Karachi. While most residents swelter under the heat, entrepreneur Saad Saleem enjoys uninterrupted air conditioning, thanks to a $7,500 solar setup on his roof.

Pakistan’s energy landscape is shifting fast. In 2024, solar power contributed 14.3% to Pakistan’s energy mix—up from just 4% in 2021. That’s a higher share than solar giants like China (8.4%) and India (7.4%).

The driving force? Imported low-cost Chinese solar panels. In 2024 alone, China exported 16.6 gigawatts of solar capacity to Pakistan—five times more than in 2022. Meanwhile, the price of these modules plummeted by 54%.

But this boom is creating winners and losers.

The Middle Class Is Being Left Behind

While the affluent tap into free energy, people like Nadia Khan, a middle-class homemaker, are being crushed by rising costs. Unable to afford solar and living in an apartment with no rooftop access, she’s cut back on air conditioning and even ironing clothes.

Many apartment dwellers are shut out of the solar revolution. Rooftops are reserved for water tanks, and landlords have no incentive to install solar panels for tenants.

Experts say less than 10% of solar users in Pakistan are connected to the grid to sell excess electricity, meaning the benefits stay within the wealthy households while grid-dependent users suffer even higher prices.

A Vicious Cycle of Price Hikes

As rich households ditch the grid, electricity providers are losing their highest-paying customers. But fixed operational costs—fuel contracts, infrastructure upgrades—remain unchanged. The result? Power companies are passing the cost onto everyone else.

In 2023–2024 alone, 200 billion rupees in fixed costs were shifted to non-solar users, increasing their electricity bills by 6.3% per kilowatt-hour, according to energy consultancy Arzachel.

This cost redistribution is making electricity unaffordable for millions, forcing more to conserve or live without it—unless they can escape to solar. But without subsidies or rooftop access, most Pakistanis simply can’t.

The IMF Factor and China’s Role

Pakistan’s energy disaster didn’t happen overnight. When the IMF bailout was announced in 2022, power tariffs spiked as part of the agreement. These increases were meant to stabilize the sector but unintentionally fueled the solar gold rush for the rich.

Moreover, deals with China under the Belt and Road Initiative added to Pakistan’s debt burden, with coal-fired plants now haunting the budget. Pakistan is still negotiating with China to delay repayments—further evidence of the fragile state of its energy sector.

Rural Solar Gains, But Urban Divide Widens

Power Minister Awais Leghari points to rural progress: many in off-grid villages now have solar-powered homes. That’s true—but their power needs are minimal compared to urban dwellers.

While village households thrive on small solar kits, urban middle-class families are trapped in apartments and rising bills with no escape.

The Big Picture: A Solar Revolution With No Regulation

What’s happening in Pakistan isn’t unique. South Africa is facing a similar solar-induced inequality crisis. But Pakistan’s case is more extreme—and happening faster.

“This is a cautionary tale of how rapid technological change without proper regulation can deepen inequality,” warns energy expert Haneea Isaad.

Conclusion: Pakistan's Solar Revolution – A Double-Edged Sword

Pakistan has become a regional leader in solar adoption. But it’s also a warning sign. Without inclusive policies, solar power can deepen inequality, not solve it.

Unless the government introduces smart net-metering, rooftop access solutions, and solar financing for apartments, the solar divide will continue to grow—leaving Pakistan’s middle class in a permanent blackout.

🔥 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why are solar panels popular in Pakistan?

Due to rising electricity tariffs and cheap Chinese imports, many Pakistanis—especially the wealthy—are turning to solar energy.

2. Who benefits most from solar energy in Pakistan?

Wealthy and land-owning Pakistanis benefit the most, as they can afford solar setups and have rooftop space.

3. What is the current share of solar in Pakistan’s energy mix?

As of 2024, solar energy makes up 14.3% of Pakistan's total electricity production.

4. Are Chinese solar panels available in Pakistan?

Yes. In 2024, China exported 16.6 gigawatts of solar panels to Pakistan at reduced costs.

5. Why is the middle class struggling with electricity bills?

Because they can't afford solar, and utility companies are raising prices to cover costs lost from rich users switching to solar.

6. Can apartment residents in Pakistan install solar panels?

Most cannot due to space constraints, lack of rooftop access, and absence of landlord incentives.

7. How much does a solar panel setup cost in Pakistan?

A standard home installation can cost between $5,000–$7,500, which is unaffordable for many.

8. Is net metering widely used in Pakistan?

No. Less than 10% of solar users are connected to the grid to sell excess electricity, due to high costs and red tape.

9. What is the role of the IMF in the energy crisis?

The IMF bailout required Pakistan to raise electricity tariffs, triggering a surge in solar adoption among the wealthy.

10. How can Pakistan make solar more inclusive?

By offering subsidies, enabling net metering, and allowing apartment-based installations, Pakistan can make solar power more accessible.