Domestic manufacturing of solar panels must to fight energy crisis: Altaf Shakoor

KARACHI, Aug 08 (NNI): Pasban Democratic Party PDP Chairman Altaf Shakoor has said that importing photo voltaic cells/ solar panels is in the short term is a good strategy, but their domestic manufacturing is critical for large scale adaptation of the technology.
He said this adaptation can be carried out in two phases: imported photovoltaic cells, but domestic manufacturing of solar panels and associated hardware, electronics, software, and domestic semiconductor manufacturing of photovoltaic cells.
Altaf Shakoor said this is a capital intensive task but essential to reduce the influence of exchange rate on the cost of PV cells. He said in addition, hydrogen generation using solar photovoltaic technology is essential for energy storage in the form of the chemical energy of hydrogen. It will also help reduce/ eliminate environmental impact of fossil fuels. He said Pakistan had extensive CNG distribution network that may be adapted for hydrogen distribution.
The investment for this purpose has to come from private sector based on the commercial viability. However, the government can help make/ streamline policies but do not expect them to fund. He said that examples exist in Pakistan where newer technologies were adapted by the consumers and public based in merit without govt. intervention — cell phone, software, IT, etc.
He said in wake of prevailing energy shortage for the economic survival Pakistan must go solar. He said the government can play a huge role in making available solar panels to the poor segments of society by heavy subsidies and soft loaning schemes with the help of the State Bank of Pakistan, commercial and microfinance banks.
He said optimally maximum load of domestic and agricultural sectors especially in off-grid areas should be shifted to solar energy. He said the government could save billions if all government buildings including that of schools, hospitals and police stations, besides streetlights are run on solar energy.
He requested the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and chief ministers of all provinces to play their due role in making Pakistan solar on fast-track basis. NNI