100,000 homes to get free solar panels under Punjab govt’s scheme

LAHORE: In a recent update, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced the provision of free solar panels for 100,000 homes in Punjab, amounting to a cost of around Rs10 billion.

According to the Free Solar Panel scheme, households that consume average of 200 units of electricity on a meter will be eligible to get the solar panels. Whereas, the lucky winners will be announced after a balloting in June, 2025.

Additionally, CM Maryam stated that 100,000 solar panel systems of 550 and 1,100 watts will be distributed among the successful winners across Punjab.

January 05.2025 was the last date of registration into the Free Solar Panel scheme, the registration was done through easily accessible portal, website, whereas for those who don’t have internet access could register through phone calls, and SMS service.

In a message CM Maryam Nawaz said, “The provision of solar panels will provide significant relief to the public in electricity bills.” She also added that “Punjab will be made a hub of renewable energy.”

However, the conversion of tube wells into solar systems will be done gradually.

Farmers owning 25 acres of agricultural land will be eligible for the solarization scheme. The government will pay 67 percent of the project while farmers will have to pay only 33 percent.

In the first phase, about 7,000 tube wells will be converted to solar energy. In the second phase, with the support of the federal government, about 10,000 tube wells will be converted to solar energy.

Running a tube well on diesel costs about Rs 3,000 per acre, while electricity costs Rs 1,500. During this time, only Rs. 50 per acre will be spent to run a tube well on solar energy for irrigation.