The Punjab government has announced that it would be distributing free solar panels across the province starting on Independence Day, August 14.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced on Saturday that households consuming up to 200 units of electricity per month will receive free solar panels.
Consumers using between 200 and 500 units of electricty per month will get solar panels at only 10% of the cost, with the remaining 90% subsidised by the Punjab government.
The payments will be interest-free and spread over five years. The distribution will be handled through banks, and all details of the scheme have been finalised. “These are challenging times, but we stand with the people and will continue to do so,” she said.
Earlier this month, it was reported that the Punjab government had allocated special funds for the promotion and implementation of solar systems in the upcoming fiscal year’s budget.
Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman stated, “It is proposed to install free solar systems for consumers using up to 100 units of electricity in the next fiscal year.”
According to the budget documents, the government has launched the Chief Minister’s Roshan Gharana Programme at a cost of Rs9.5 billion. This initiative aims to provide relief to the public, burdened by expensive electricity and bills, at the provincial level.
