As Pakistan becomes one of the world's largest importers of solar panels, The Economist recently stated that, with the help of Chinese technology, Pakistan has become a "testing ground" for the green energy transition in the Global South. Data shows that Chinese products account for over 95% of Pakistan's imported solar panels. From 2022 to 2024, the annual quantity of Chinese-made solar panels imported by Pakistan increased nearly fivefold.

In recent years, an increasing number of Pakistani families have chosen to install solar panels on their roofs. This trend is not only popular in cities but is also becoming increasingly prevalent in rural areas. Solar energy systems from China are considered an excellent investment by Pakistanis, and have even been included in dowry lists.

Pakistani media believe that the country's solar energy boom is driven by the people and empowered by Chinese technology. Although Pakistan's power supply is constantly improving, people still complain about high electricity prices and occasional regional power rationing during peak hours. Particularly in rural areas, the quality of the power grid is poor, and the power supply for households and production is unstable. Chinese solar panels have brought unprecedented changes.

“Over 90% of our solar installation projects are concentrated in the residential, agricultural, or industrial sectors,” said Waqas Musa, president of the Pakistan Solar Energy Association. He added that solar energy already has a foundation of acceptance in Pakistan, where people are accustomed to using innovative methods to cope with power outages. The solar energy boom has also created new job opportunities and spurred demand for skilled workers. At the same time, the Pakistani government has also introduced loan subsidies for solar panels.