Counterfeit Solar Panels Jeopardize Pakistan’s Solar Initiatives
- Raising awareness about counterfeit solar panels is crucial to protect Pakistan’s renewable energy goals.
- Traders are selling B-grade and C-grade panels, often misrepresenting genuine A-grade products.
- These counterfeit products undermine consumer confidence in solar energy.
As demand for solar panels soars due to rising electricity prices, this growth is now jeopardized by the influx of substandard and counterfeit products, deceiving consumers and damaging the reputations of trusted brands.
Pakistan aims to source 30% of its power from renewable sources by 2030, and the demand for solar panels is surging. However, unethical traders are flooding the market with B-grade and C-grade panels, often misrepresenting them as genuine A-grade products from reputable companies, according to an official from LONGi, a solar technology company.
These counterfeit products not only fail to deliver as promised but also undermine consumer confidence in solar energy, especially as the nation relies heavily on it for a cleaner and more sustainable future. Solar panels are classified into three categories, with A-category panels being the most efficient and reliable, backed by a 25-year warranty. B-category and C-category panels, however, are defective and unreliable.
Muhammad Faisal, CEO of Zynergy Solutions, advises the public to install solar projects only from Solar companies registered with the Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) to ensure they receive A-category panels. Customers should purchase solar panels from authorized dealers and ensure they are imported directly from manufacturers with proper documentation.
While low-cost options are tempting, Faisal emphasizes the importance of avoiding B-category or C-category panels and purchasing only from authorized companies.
LONGi officials report that their brand has been misused to sell subpar products, prompting the implementation of stringent quality control measures, including a 157-point checklist and a unique verification process. Despite these efforts, consumer awareness remains low, leaving many buyers vulnerable to fraud.
Government regulations, such as SRO 604, aim to address this issue, but unauthorized third-party traders continue to bypass checks, risking the credibility of the entire solar industry. Raising awareness about counterfeit solar panels is crucial for both consumers and businesses to protect Pakistan’s renewable energy goals.
