Solar power in Pakistan

Pakistan has some of the highest values of insolation in the world, with eight to nine hours of sunshine per day, ideal climatic conditions for solar power generation.
However, the country has been slow to adopt the technology.
The country has solar plants in Pakistani Kashmir, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan. 
Initiatives are under development by the International Renewable Energy Agency, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Chinese companies, and Pakistani private sector energy companies. 
The country aims to build the world's largest solar power park, the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Power Park (QASP) in the Cholistan Desert, Punjab, by 2017 with a 1 GW capacity. 
A plant of this size would be enough to power around 320,000 homes.
Projects.
Introduction of Clean Energy by Solar Electricity Generation System.
On May 29, 2012, Pakistan inaugurated its first solar power on-grid power plant in Islamabad. Introduction of Clean Energy by Solar Electricity Generation System is a special grant aid project by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the Coolio Earth Partnership. This project includes the installation of two 178kW photovoltaic (PV) systems at the premises of the Planning Commission and Pakistan Engineering Council.
This is the first on-grid solar PV project that employs net-metering, thereby allowing the beneficiaries to sell surplus electricity to the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), the electricity distribution company of the Islamabad Division. The project was executed with grant assistance, worth 480 million Yen (approx. 553.63 million Pakistani Rupees) over three years commencing in 2010.
Other projects.
Beaconhouse installed the first high quality integrated solar energy system with a 10kW power generation capacity capable of grid tie-in at Beaconhouse Canal Side Campus, Lahore. It was a pilot project for BSS designed by U.S. consultants, based upon feasibility by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA).
50 to 100 MW of photovoltaics is expected to be installed in 2013, and at least 300MW in 2014. In May 2015, 100 MW of a planned 1,000 MW were installed in the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park.
AEDB is pursuing 22 solar PV power projects of cumulative capacity of approximately 890.80 MW.
1. The following Six (06) solar power projects of 430 MW capacity are operational; 
2. Four (04) IPPs with a cumulative capacity of 41.80 MW have obtained Letter of Support (LOS) from AEDB and are in the process of achieving Financial Closing of their projects
3. Twelve (12) Solar PV power projects of 419 MW cumulative capacity have obtained LOI from AEDB and are at different stages of project development. As per the CCoE decisions, these 12 projects are required to participate in the upcoming competitive bidding to be carried out by AEDB.
Annual solar irradiation.
Solar irradiance in Pakistan is 5.3 kWh/m2/day. Pakistan set a target to add approximately 10 GW of renewable capacity by 2030 in addition to replacing 5% diesel with biodiesel by 2015 and 10% by 2025.
Progress of Net-Metering in Pakistan.
The progress of Net-Metering in Pakistan up to March 31, 2021 is 181.27MW.
Government policy.
Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, former Federal Minister of Water & Power announced on July 2, 2009 that 7,000 villages would be electrified using solar energy by 2014. Senior adviser Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa stated that the Punjab government would begin new projects aimed at power production through coal, solar energy and wind power; this would generate additional resources.
The Government of Pakistan allowed the provincial government of Sindh to conduct feasibility research. The government planned to install a desalination plant powered by solar energy.