LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has officially launched the ‘Chief Minister Punjab Free Solar Panel Scheme’ through digital balloting, selecting beneficiaries in an automated, transparent process.
The CM congratulated the successful applicants and directed authorities to speed up the installation process to provide immediate relief to consumers struggling with rising electricity costs.
Physical Verification & Installation Timeline
Officials briefed the CM that physical verification of selected consumers will begin immediately, with installation of solar systems expected to kick off across Punjab by the end of March.
The first phase of installations, covering nearly 94,500 solar systems, will be completed by the end of July 2025.
Eligibility Criteria
The free solar panels are being provided to domestic consumers using up to 200 units of electricity per month. More than 861,000 consumers applied for the scheme, all through a digitized process ensuring transparency.
System Types & Consumer Categories
- 0.55 kW systems for 47,182 households
- 1.1 kW systems for 47,301 households
Eligibility verification will be conducted through the reference number and CNIC number listed on the consumer’s electricity bill.
Anti-Theft Security & Environmental Impact
To prevent theft, the solar panels and inverters will be linked directly to the consumer’s CNIC. A dedicated helpline has also been established to assist beneficiaries throughout the process.
The scheme is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 57,000 tonnes and lessen the federal government’s electricity subsidy burden, offering both economic relief and environmental benefits.
