Lahore, August, 2024: The Pakistan Solar Association (PSA) has expressed serious concerns regarding
the growing import of B-grade and inferior quality solar panels by unauthorized third-party importers in
Pakistan.
In a strongly worded statement, the PSA highlighted the significant risks these substandard products
pose; not only to consumers but also to the broader economy and the nation’s reputation.
The PSA emphasized that these poor-quality solar panels are not merely a consumer issue, but a matter
of national importance. “The influx of substandard solar materials is a substantial loss for consumers
who invest in these products with the expectation of long-term savings and reliable energy solutions,”
Amir Chaudhary Chairman PSA said, and added that in reality these inferior products lead to
inefficiencies, frequent breakdowns, and higher maintenance costs, ultimately negating the intended
benefits of solar energy adoption.
PSA warned that if the current trend of importing low-quality solar panels continues, Pakistan could
become a dumping ground for the world’s substandard solar products. This, the association stressed,
would be detrimental to the country’s efforts to transition to renewable energy and could severely
undermine consumer confidence in solar technology.
Moreover, Amir Chaudhary Chairman PSA clarified that these third-party importers, responsible for
flooding the market with inferior solar panels, are not members of the PSA. “These importers are
operating outside the recognized framework of quality assurance and ethical business practices that our
association upholds,” the PSA Chairman noted. “By prioritizing profit margins over product quality, they
are not only compromising the safety and satisfaction of consumers but also tarnishing the nation’s
dignity in the international market.”
Amir Chaudhary Chairman PSA said that the ongoing supply glut in the Chinese market has resulted in
the third party stockists in China unloading excess stocks, including B-grade stocks, without warranty or
re-insurance. Unfortunately, some traders are importing the dumped stocks into the Pakistan market
and selling to uninformed buyers.
The PSA urged the government and relevant regulatory authorities to take immediate action against
these unauthorized importers. It called for stricter enforcement of quality standards and regulations
governing the import and sale of solar products in Pakistan. The association also encouraged consumers
to verify the credentials of suppliers and choose only PSA-affiliated manufacturers and importers to
ensure they are purchasing high-quality, certified solar panels.