Counterfeit solar panels threaten Pakistan’s solar initiatives

• Raising awareness of counterfeit solar panels is crucial to protecting Pakistan’s renewable energy goals.
• Traders sell class B and C panels, often misrepresenting genuine class A products.
• These counterfeit products undermine consumer confidence in solar energy.

As demand for solar panels skyrockets due to rising electricity prices, this growth is now threatened by an influx of substandard and counterfeit products, deceiving consumers and damaging the reputation of trusted brands.

Pakistan aims to obtain 30% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030, and the demand for solar panels is constantly growing. However, according to an official from LONGi, a solar technology company, unethical traders are flooding the market with Class B and C panels, often falsely representing them as genuine Class A products from reputable companies.

Not only do these counterfeit products fail to deliver on their promises, they also undermine consumer confidence in solar energy, especially since the nation depends heavily on it for a cleaner and more sustainable future. Solar panels are divided into three categories, with category A panels being the most efficient and reliable, with a 25-year warranty. Category B and C panels, however, are defective and unreliable.

Muhammad Faisal, CEO of Zynergy Solutions, recommends that the public only install solar projects from solar companies registered with the Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) to ensure they receive Category A panels. Customers should purchase solar panels from authorized dealers and make sure they are imported directly from manufacturers with proper documentation.

While cheap options are tempting, Faisal stresses the importance of avoiding Category B or C panels and only purchasing from authorized companies.

LONGi officials report that their brand has been misused to sell low-quality 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 shoppers vulnerable to fraud.

Government regulations such as SRO 604 aim to address this problem, but unauthorized third-party traders continue to bypass controls, risking the credibility of the entire solar industry. Raising awareness of counterfeit solar panels is crucial for both consumers and businesses to protect Pakistan’s renewable energy goals.

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