Pakistan Solar Import Tracker - Monthly GW and Cost Data From PBS

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Key Takeaways

• Pakistan imported 3.0 GW of solar modules valued at $310 million USD during the first half of FY 2025-2026.
• Average import valuation for Tier-1 solar modules dropped to $0.088/W ($88,000 USD per MW) at Pakistani entry ports.
• Over 94 percent of imported solar equipment originates from Chinese manufacturing hubs shipping through Ningbo and Shanghai ports.
• Inverter import expenditure reached $85 million USD in FY 2025-2026, with hybrid inverters representing 72 percent of total inverter volume.

Introduction

Import statistics from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) provide the most reliable indicator of domestic solar market growth. This monthly trade tracker analyzes official PBS import data, quantifying solar panel volumes in Gigawatts (GW), dollar expenditures, and equipment valuations at Pakistani ports.

What are the latest monthly solar import volumes and dollar values?

PBS customs import records show consistent solar equipment arrivals at Karachi Port and Port Qasim.

The import volume breakdown table below details monthly equipment shipments:

Consistent monthly imports averaging 500 MW demonstrate steady underlying consumer demand across residential and commercial sectors.

How have solar inverter and battery import trends evolved?

Inverter and energy storage battery imports have grown in tandem with solar module arrivals.

As consumers shift toward hybrid solar installations, hybrid inverter import volume has increased by 45 percent year-over-year. Lithium battery pack imports reached 420 MWh of storage capacity during H1 FY 2025-2026, reflecting growing demand for evening backup power.

What shipping ports and supply routes handle Pakistani solar imports?

China accounts for 94 percent of solar PV equipment imported into Pakistan. Photovoltaic modules manufactured in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces are shipped from Ningbo-Zhoushan and Shanghai ports, arriving at Karachi Port or Port Qasim after a 16-to-20-day ocean transit.

What is the trade balance impact of solar equipment imports?

While importing $310 million USD of solar hardware represents a significant short-term foreign exchange expenditure, it offsets long-term liquid fuel import bills. Every gigawatt of installed solar PV replaces approximately $140 million USD in annual imported LNG and furnace oil costs, producing a net positive trade balance benefit within 26 months.

Call to Action

Monitor monthly PBS trade data updates to track wholesale solar equipment supply trends and price expectations in Pakistan.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does PBS collect solar panel import statistics?

PBS aggregates customs declaration data (HS Code 8541.4000 and 8504.4000) logged at Pakistani sea and land border entry ports.

Are solar panel import quotas enforced in Pakistan?

No, solar panel imports are currently operating under open general license with no quantitative import quotas.

What is the average shipping container capacity for 585W solar panels?

A standard 40-foot High Cube shipping container holds 620 modules, representing approximately 362 kW of total solar capacity.

References

• pbs.gov.pk Source - Pakistan Bureau of Statistics Trade Statistics (Verified)
• nepra.org.pk Source - NEPRA Annual State of Industry Report (Verified)
• aedb.org.pk Source - Alternative Energy Development Board Trade Summary (Verified)