Frequently Asked Questions

A solar energy system converts sunlight into usable electricity using photovoltaic (PV) panels. The panels generate DC electricity, which an inverter converts to AC for use in your home or business. Surplus power can be exported to the national grid via net metering.

Yes — Pakistan has some of the highest solar irradiance in the world, with 300+ sunny days per year across Punjab and Islamabad. Combined with sharply rising electricity tariffs, a properly sized solar system typically pays back its cost in 3–5 years and then generates free power for 20+ years.

SolarLink installs three main system types: On-Grid (grid-tied, most cost-effective, eligible for net metering), Off-Grid (battery-based, suitable for areas without reliable grid access), and Hybrid (grid-tied with battery backup — provides power even during load-shedding).

Quality Tier-1 solar panels carry a 25-year performance warranty and are designed to last 30+ years. Degradation is less than 0.5% per year, meaning panels typically retain over 87% of their original output at the 25-year mark.

A single 580W Tier-1 panel in Punjab generates approximately 2–2.5 kWh per day on average (accounting for seasonal variation). A 10-panel, 5.8kW system therefore produces roughly 20–25 kWh/day — enough for a medium-sized Pakistani household.

An on-grid system is connected to the WAPDA/DISCO grid and uses the grid as a "virtual battery" — exporting surplus and drawing power at night. It requires no battery storage, making it the most affordable option. An off-grid system uses physical battery banks and operates completely independently of the grid, ideal for remote areas.

A standard on-grid system shuts down during load-shedding for safety reasons (anti-islanding protection). A hybrid system with battery backup continues to supply power to your home throughout load-shedding, keeping lights, fans, and appliances running.

Solar panels generate electricity from daylight, not direct sunlight alone. On overcast days, output is reduced — typically to 10–25% of peak capacity — but the system still produces power. Rain is actually beneficial as it cleans dust from the panels, restoring full efficiency.

Residential solar systems are priced roughly by system size. Costs vary based on equipment brand, system type (on-grid vs hybrid), roof complexity, and your city. Contact SolarLink for a free custom quote — prices have been highly competitive since 2024 due to import duty reductions.

Most SolarLink residential customers save 80–100% on their monthly electricity bill. For example, a home previously paying ₨ 45,000/month typically brings that bill down to ₨ 500–1,500/month after installing a properly sized on-grid system with net metering.

In Lahore and Islamabad, the average payback period for a residential solar system is 3–5 years, after which you generate effectively free electricity for 20+ more years. Rising electricity tariffs — which increased over 150% between 2021 and 2024 — make payback faster every year.

A 5kW on-grid system is suitable for smaller homes with bills up to around ₨ 20,000/month. Cost depends on equipment choice and site conditions. Request a no-obligation quote from SolarLink for an accurate figure.

A 10kW on-grid system is the most popular size for mid-to-large homes in Punjab, typically covering bills of ₨ 30,000–60,000/month. It is also commonly used for small commercial premises. SolarLink provides free site assessments and detailed proposals at no cost.

A 15kW system suits large homes, commercial offices, or high-consumption properties with bills above ₨ 60,000/month. Contact SolarLink for a customised quote — our team will assess your consumption data, shade conditions, and roof area.

Yes. Solar installations increase property value in Pakistan, particularly in high-tariff cities like Lahore and Islamabad. A fully commissioned system with net metering and a long-term performance warranty is an attractive selling point for future buyers.

Solar systems have very low running costs. Key ongoing items include: annual panel cleaning (can be done yourself or via a maintenance visit), occasional inverter monitoring, and net metering standing charges from your DISCO. There are no fuel costs and no regular servicing fees.

Rising tariffs directly improve your solar return on investment. Every rupee increase in the per-unit electricity rate adds more value to the units your solar system generates. Customers who installed in 2020–2021 have seen their payback periods shrink significantly due to tariff increases since then.

Yes, for most consumers in the residential and commercial segments — particularly those paying high slab tariffs. The levelised cost of solar electricity over a 25-year system life is a fraction of current WAPDA peak tariff rates, making solar the most economical electricity source available.

A standard residential installation (5–15kW) takes 1–3 working days on site. The full process — from initial contact through site survey, design approval, procurement, and commissioning — typically takes 2–4 weeks. Commercial projects may take longer depending on system size.

SolarLink's engineer visits your property to assess roof area and orientation, shading from trees or buildings, existing electrical setup, and meter/distribution board condition. The survey takes 30–60 minutes and is completely free with no obligation.

No. SolarLink uses industry-standard mounting structures designed to protect your roof. All penetration points are properly sealed and waterproofed. Our team inspects roof condition before installation and advises on any repairs needed beforehand. Pakistan's solar industry has a strong track record of damage-free installations.

We recommend someone responsible be present for the site survey and on the first day of installation to confirm placement and answer questions. The installation itself is clean and professional. Our teams work Monday–Saturday during regular working hours.

For a basic on-grid solar system, you will need a net metering licence from your DISCO (Distribution Company). SolarLink handles the complete documentation and application process on your behalf, including single-line diagrams, NEPRA applications, and coordination with the DISCO.

We analyse your last 12 months of electricity bills to establish average consumption, then factor in your roof area, orientation, local shading, and budget. The goal is a system that offsets your highest-slab consumption first — delivering the maximum financial return per rupee invested.

Solar panels can be installed on most roof types common in Pakistan — RCC flat roofs (most common), sloped/truss roofs, and corrugated iron sheet roofs. Flat RCC roofs are the easiest and most common. Our survey will confirm suitability and the correct mounting structure for your specific roof.

After installation, SolarLink commissions the system, tests all connections, configures your inverter monitoring app, and submits the net metering application to your DISCO. You'll receive a full handover including system documents, warranty cards, and a walkthrough of your monitoring dashboard.

SolarLink exclusively uses Tier-1 solar panels, primarily Canadian Solar — a globally recognized Tier-1 manufacturer with a 25-year performance warranty track record. We do not install budget or unbranded panels. Tier-1 panels ensure maximum energy output, reliability, and bankable warranties.

SolarLink installs Growatt and Fronus inverters — both internationally recognized brands with strong warranty support networks in Pakistan. Growatt is one of the world's largest inverter manufacturers by volume. We recommend the most appropriate brand for your specific system size and requirements.

Tier-1 solar panels are manufactured by companies that use fully automated robotic production, have been manufacturing for 5+ years, and are classified as financially bankable by Bloomberg NEF. They offer the best combination of output consistency, durability, and long-term manufacturer warranty. SolarLink only installs Tier-1 panels.

Monocrystalline panels are cut from a single silicon crystal, giving them higher efficiency (20–22%) and better performance in high-heat and low-light conditions — making them better suited to Pakistani summers. Polycrystalline panels are slightly less efficient (16–18%) and lower cost. SolarLink primarily installs high-efficiency monocrystalline panels.

You do not need a battery for an on-grid system — the national grid acts as your storage. However, if you experience load-shedding in your area, a hybrid system with battery storage will keep your home powered through outages. We will assess your load-shedding frequency and recommend accordingly.

SolarLink supplies lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, which are the safest and most cycle-stable chemistry available. Our battery solutions are matched to Growatt and Fronus hybrid inverters for seamless integration. Contact us for current available models and capacities.

Inverter sizing is matched to your panel array capacity and your peak household load. For example, a 10kW solar system uses a 10kW inverter. Our engineers calculate the correct size during the site survey taking into account panel layout, cable runs, and any planned expansion.

A hybrid inverter manages both solar panels and a battery bank simultaneously — it charges the battery from solar, powers your home from solar, exports surplus to the grid, and switches to battery during load-shedding. You need a hybrid inverter if you want backup power during outages. Standard on-grid inverters do not supply power when the grid is down.

SolarLink only supplies fully manufactured Tier-1 panels from internationally certified factories — not locally assembled units. Locally assembled panels often use lower-grade cells with inconsistent quality control, shorter lifespans, and no credible manufacturer warranty. The price difference does not justify the long-term risk.

Net metering allows you to export surplus solar electricity to the national grid and receive credits on your electricity bill. When your panels produce more than you consume (e.g., midday), the excess flows to the grid. At night or on cloudy days, you draw from the grid as normal. Your bill shows the net difference between what you exported and imported.

Any consumer connected to a licensed DISCO (LESCO, IESCO, PESCO, GEPCO, FESCO, MEPCO, HESCO, SEPCO, QESCO, TESCO) can apply for net metering for a solar system sized between 1kW and 1,000kW. Both residential and commercial customers are eligible. The system must meet NEPRA technical standards.

SolarLink handles the complete net metering application on your behalf. The process includes: preparation of single-line diagrams, technical documentation filing with your DISCO, site inspection coordination, and bi-directional meter installation. You do not need to visit any government office — we manage the entire process.

The net metering process takes approximately 4–12 weeks after a complete application is submitted to your DISCO. Processing time varies by distribution company — LESCO (Lahore) and IESCO (Islamabad) are generally the fastest. SolarLink tracks applications and follows up on your behalf.

The net metering export tariff is regulated by NEPRA and is typically based on the consumer category and applicable DISCO tariff at the time of licensing. SolarLink will confirm the current applicable export rate for your distribution company during your consultation, as rates are periodically reviewed by NEPRA.

All DISCOs operating under the NEPRA regulatory framework support net metering, including LESCO (Lahore), IESCO (Islamabad), GEPCO (Gujranwala), FESCO (Faisalabad), MEPCO (Multan), and others. SolarLink has completed net metering registrations for customers across multiple DISCOs throughout Punjab and Islamabad.

Yes. Commercial net metering is available for businesses, factories, and commercial properties connected to the DISCO grid. Commercial systems benefit from the same export credits as residential systems. SolarLink has experience completing net metering for commercial clients up to 500kW+.

A bi-directional (or smart) meter records both the electricity you import from the grid and the electricity you export from your solar system separately. It replaces your standard meter and is required for net metering. Your DISCO installs the bi-directional meter as part of the net metering approval process — SolarLink coordinates this on your behalf.

SolarLink provides a workmanship warranty on all installations — covering the quality of mounting, wiring, and commissioning work. In addition, all equipment carries the full manufacturer's warranty. Full warranty terms are detailed in your installation contract.

Canadian Solar Tier-1 panels carry a 10-year product workmanship warranty and a 25-year linear performance warranty. The performance guarantee ensures panels output at least 87.4% of their rated power at year 25. This is backed by the manufacturer, not a local reseller.

Growatt inverters come with a standard 5-year warranty, extendable to 10 years. Fronus inverters carry a 2–5 year warranty depending on the model. Extended warranties are available and recommended — the inverter is the most likely component to require service over the system lifetime.

Contact SolarLink directly — call our Lahore office on 042-37117713 or Islamabad on 051-5204555. Our team will diagnose the issue remotely where possible, or arrange a site visit. For equipment faults under manufacturer warranty, SolarLink coordinates the claim with the supplier on your behalf.

SolarLink offers ongoing support across all five locations in Punjab and Islamabad. This includes inverter troubleshooting, system performance reviews, panel cleaning advice, and net metering billing queries. With local offices in Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Sargodha, we are always nearby.

Growatt inverters connect to the ShinePhone mobile app, which shows real-time generation, consumption, and export data. Fronus also provides a monitoring app. SolarLink configures your monitoring account as part of the commissioning handover so you can track performance from day one.

Solar systems require very little maintenance. Key tasks include: cleaning panels 2–4 times per year (more in dusty, dry seasons), checking inverter indicator lights monthly, and trimming any vegetation that may start shading panels. SolarLink recommends an annual inspection for systems above 15kW.

Yes. Several Pakistani banks and microfinance institutions offer solar financing, often with low or subsidised profit rates under government-backed schemes. SolarLink can guide you through available options and help you prepare the documentation needed for a bank application.

Multiple commercial banks in Pakistan — including Meezan Bank, Bank Alfalah, HBL, and others — have offered green financing products for solar. Terms, profit rates, and eligibility criteria change periodically. Contact SolarLink to find out which schemes are currently active and best suited to your situation.

The Pakistani government has periodically offered incentives including zero-rating of sales tax on solar panels and related equipment, along with concessionary financing through AEDB and State Bank of Pakistan schemes. Incentive availability changes over time. Contact SolarLink for the most current information applicable to your area.

Typical requirements for a bank solar loan include: CNIC, recent salary slips or income proof, last 6 months of bank statements, last 3–6 months of electricity bills, and a SolarLink quotation/proposal. Exact requirements vary by lender. SolarLink helps you prepare a complete application package.

Most bank solar finance products apply to systems from 3kW upwards, with no fixed upper limit for commercial finance. Some government-backed schemes have system size caps — this depends on the specific scheme in operation. SolarLink will match you with a financing option suited to your system size.

SolarLink's primary role is design and installation. For structured financing, we refer customers to banking partners rather than offering in-house credit — ensuring you benefit from regulated, transparent lending terms. We do work with customers on phased procurement in some cases; discuss your situation with our team.

The best first step is getting a free SolarLink quotation, which gives you the system cost, specifications, and projected savings. With that document in hand, you can approach banks or we can introduce you to a lending partner. Start by requesting your free quote online or calling our nearest office.