Solar Demand Slows as Prices Dip, Sellers Say Buyers Await Further Cuts
Solar panel retailers in Lahore say customer interest has cooled even as prices decline, with potential buyers postponing purchases in anticipation of further rate cuts. The slowdown comes as Pakistan grapples with chronic load-shedding, particularly at night, though sellers note that affordability remains a major barrier for lower-income households.
Mohammad Javid, a solar plates seller in the city, told Reuters the market was operating at a normal pace, unlike the surge seen when prices were higher. He said he now advises customers that further reductions may be on the horizon, leading many to delay decisions. "When rates were high, we had more customers," Javid said. "Now prices have dropped slightly, we tell buyers there could be more cuts, so they are holding back."
Javid estimated that powering an air conditioner through solar energy costs roughly 300,000 to 350,000 rupees, a sum beyond reach for many. He noted that smaller consumers – those relying on fans and coolers – typically require 230-watt or 300-watt systems to keep basic appliances running during outages. "The real problem for them is battery costs. They need cheaper batteries for nighttime backup, because load-shedding has increased at night," he added.
Fellow trader Mohammad Sultan echoed the sentiment, saying panel prices had fallen by 4,000 to 5,000 rupees per unit, with additional declines of around 1,500 rupees expected. "Whenever rates drop, customers wait, thinking they will fall further. That is exactly what is happening now – demand is weak because everyone expects prices to keep sliding," Sultan said, adding that rising heat may eventually drive more sales, but for now, buyers remain cautious.