Solar boom: Pakistan and Philippines turn to rooftops as power costs soar

Millions of households and businesses in the Philippines and Pakistan are increasingly installing solar panels on their rooftops due to expensive electricity from the main power grid. The main driving force behind this shift is the lower cost of solar technology. China is responsible for about 80% of global solar panel production, making it the primary source of panels for these nations.

The Philippines and Pakistan have become the top two countries in the world, after the Netherlands, for installing solar panels domestically.

In the Philippines, the surge in rooftop solar installations coincides with worries about fuel shortages and potential power outages due to conflicts in the Middle East. Local solar installers have received a surge in inquiries, from around 100 per month to 1,000 to 2,000 after the Strait of Hormuz crisis. Solar power is seen as a practical and cost-effective alternative in the Philippines, where electricity prices are among the highest in Southeast Asia and about 12% of a household's monthly income.

The Philippines' grid system relies heavily on imported fossil fuels and faces transmission challenges across its archipelago of 7,641 islands.

Pakistan's rapid shift towards solar power has been even more dramatic. The country's rooftop solar expansion accelerated after the Russia-Ukraine war raised energy costs and disrupted liquefied natural gas supplies, causing electricity prices to rise by about 150% over three years. Solar power is now an economical and reliable choice for consumers in Pakistan, who are increasingly opting for it as their primary source of electricity.

A fisherman in Pakistan was able to charge his phone and light his home with rooftop solar, eliminating the need to travel long distances for electricity. Pakistan's capital city has been fully powered by solar energy since 2021.