Punjab CM Launches Free Solar Panel Scheme to Provide Relief from Expensive Electricity
The Chief Minister of Punjab has launched the Free Solar Panel Scheme, which kicked off with an automated digital lottery for the distribution of solar panels.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif congratulated the lucky winners of the scheme and directed the relevant authorities to complete the installation process of solar panels as soon as possible. She emphasized that the government is committed to providing relief to the public from expensive electricity bills, and there should be no delay in the completion of the scheme.
She added that after the physical verification, the installation of solar systems will begin by the end of March across the province, with the first phase of the Free Solar Panel Scheme set to be completed by the end of July.
During the briefing, the Secretary of Energy informed the Chief Minister about the details of the scheme. He stated that under the CM Punjab Free Solar Panel Scheme, 94,483 solar systems will be installed throughout the year, with solar systems provided free of charge to consumers who use up to 200 units of electricity per month.
He mentioned that 861,000 consumers had applied for the scheme, and the entire process of distribution was completed digitally. A total of 47,182 systems with a capacity of 0.55 kW and 47,301 systems with a capacity of 1.1 kW will be installed.
The briefing also highlighted that solar systems will be provided free of charge to consumers who use up to 200 units of electricity per month. Verification will be conducted through the reference number on the monthly bill and the CNIC number of the consumers.
To assist and guide the beneficiaries of the Free Solar Panel Scheme, a dedicated help line has been set up. In addition, to protect solar panels and inverters from theft, they will be linked to the consumer’s computerized national identity card.
According to the Energy Secretary, installing 100,000 solar systems in Punjab will reduce carbon emissions by 57,000 tons, and this scheme will also reduce the financial burden on the federal government in terms of subsidies.
