Rooftop solar panels are the easiest way to reduce emissions in Pakistan

While wind and solar can be used on a large scale by utilities, they necessitate the construction of long and costly transmission lines.

Solar panels, unlike wind projects, can be installed on consumers' properties on a small scale, avoiding costly transmission costs. Except for massive solar projects by electricity companies, solar panels can be mounted on the roofs of homes and businesses, eliminating the need for large tracts of empty land. When combined with batteries, they can provide power during power outages.

Despite receiving a lot of sunlight, Pakistan is heavily reliant on fossil fuels to generate electricity. Fossil fuels emit greenhouse gases, are expensive, and, because they are frequently imported, place a strain on the balance of payments. Furthermore, electricity generated from fossil fuels is frequently unreliable. Power outages are fairly common. All of this makes a compelling case for customers to have solar panels installed on their property.

Pakistan should prioritize reducing the use of fossil fuels in electricity generation and increasing the use of renewable energy sources like wind and solar. Surprisingly, despite its location in a region severely impacted by climate change, Pakistan continues to invest in environmentally unfriendly power generation methods. For example, the government intends to build up to 6,600MW of Chinese-funded coal power plants over the next few years.

Solar energy has the potential to provide a significant portion of Pakistan's electricity needs. Much of the land is dry and hot for the majority of the year. Pakistan currently generates only about 1% of its electricity through solar power. Solar and wind power could generate more than a third of Pakistan's electricity needs if fully utilized.

In the long run, it makes sense to manufacture solar panels in Pakistan. In the short term, it may make sense to import them from China, which is a world leader in solar panel production and a close friend of Pakistan. Once Pakistan has established a domestic solar manufacturing industry, it may be able to export panels to Middle Eastern countries.