LAHORE: The Government of Punjab has decided to extend its free solar panel scheme by six months, aiming to provide continued relief to low-income households through wider distribution across the province.
The extension, approved on the directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, will prolong the initiative from June to December 2026. The move forms part of broader efforts to ease the burden of rising electricity costs and improve access to alternative energy sources.
Under the revised plan, authorities will distribute more than 94,000 solar systems to eligible households. The total cost of the scheme has been set at approximately Rs9.97 billion, while additional funds have also been allocated to increase the number of beneficiaries.
Importantly, the scheme specifically targets low-income consumers. Officials confirmed that households using up to 200 units of electricity per month qualify for the programme. To ensure transparency, the selection of beneficiaries will be conducted through a lottery system.
Moreover, the initiative is being implemented across all districts and tehsils of Punjab. The programme has already received significant public response, with more than 800,000 applications submitted so far. Of these, over 375,000 applicants have been declared eligible after initial scrutiny.
In terms of capacity, the government plans to provide 550-watt and 1100-watt solar systems to selected households. During the initial phase, more than 90,000 systems were distributed, establishing a foundation for the expanded rollout.
Officials believe the scheme will play a key role in reducing electricity bills for financially constrained families. At the same time, the initiative promotes the adoption of renewable energy, supporting long-term environmental sustainability.
As energy prices continue to rise, the extension of the solar scheme highlights the provincial government’s focus on both economic relief and clean energy solutions, while ensuring that vulnerable segments of society benefit from accessible and affordable power alternatives.
