KARACHI: The prices of imported Chinese solar panels of 585, 645 and 720 watts have increased by an average of Rs 5,000 in the local markets. As a result, the price of a 585-watt solar panel has increased from Rs 16,000 to Rs 17,000 to Rs 20,000 to Rs 21,000.
The price of a 645-watt solar panel has increased from Rs 20,000 to Rs 24,000 to Rs 25,000, while the price of a 720-watt solar panel has increased from Rs 22,000 to Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000.
Solar panel importer and Vice President of Karachi Electronics Dealers Association, Saleem Memo,n said that the increase in the price of silver and copper at the global level has increased the production cost of Chinese solar companies, which is why the price of solar panels per watt has increased from Rs 22 to Rs 33 in the last 5 months.
He said that due to increasing public purchasing activities and rising prices in China, the price of solar panels per watt will increase to Rs 40 in the next few months.
He said that taxes imposed on the import of Chinese solar panels are also a reason for the increase in the prices of solar panels. The technological competition of solar panels at the local level is also increasing the prices.
Salim Memon said that due to extensive imports in the past two years, there are vast reserves of solar panels in the country. Not only have solar panels become more expensive across the country, but the price of batteries used in them has also increased, and a 10 per cent increase has been recorded in the price of solar batteries in the last month.
