EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: rooftop solar adoption unlikely to slow down, says LONGi exec

Osman Mohammad Maud is the Head of LONGi Pakistan & Afghanistan and Oversees Technical Operations for Central Asia. With over 15 years of experience in solar PV technology, IPP development, and large-scale engineering projects, he has led major installations across Uzbekistan (300MW+), Kazakhstan (50MW), and Pakistan (125MW).

Before joining LONGi in 2022, Osman spent nine years at Reon Energy, where he built and led the engineering division and delivered high-impact projects, including a 60MW IPP in Kazakhstan, a 5.3MW solar project in Qatar, and multiple captive power plants in Pakistan. He began his career at Engro Powergen, working on a 220MW power plant and evaluating new renewable technologies.

A NUST Electrical Engineering graduate, Osman has played a key role in expanding advanced solar technologies in Pakistan and Central Asia, launching LONGi’s Back Contact panels and leading regional training programs that enabled Central Asia’s first MW-scale project.

In his recent conversation with BR Research, he shares his insights on the opportunities, challenges, and future trajectory of solar energy in Pakistan. Following are the edited excerpts:

BR Research: How do you assess the impact of the government’s recent proposals to revise net-metering tariffs and buyback rates? What implications do you foresee for rooftop solar adoption and investor sentiment?

Osman Maud: The proposed revisions to net-metering tariffs may influence consumer behavior, but rooftop solar adoption is unlikely to slow significantly. Net metering primarily benefits small and medium enterprises and residential consumers, while large industrial players rarely rely on it due to system size limits. Even if incentives are reduced, the high cost of grid electricity keeps solar economically attractive.

Battery-based hybrid systems now offer payback periods of two to three years, and declining battery costs make them increasingly appealing. Overall, rooftop solar adoption will continue, and daytime grid demand may gradually decline.

BRR: Pakistan now faces growing grid-balancing challenges due to high daytime solar injection. From LONGi’s technical perspective, what solutions can help manage the emerging “duck curve” and stabilize the grid?

OM: The duck curve is a real phenomenon in Pakistan, reflecting high daytime solar generation and evening demand peaks. Globally, battery energy storage systems (BESS) have been the most effective solution, storing excess energy during periods of low demand and releasing it later. Time-of-use (TOU) tariffs can also help by incentivizing consumption during peak solar production, such as encouraging EV charging at midday. Combining storage and smart demand management benefits both consumers and the grid, reducing the need for curtailment.

BRR: There is a policy debate between promoting distributed solar versus shifting toward utility-scale renewables. Where does LONGi see Pakistan’s optimal energy mix heading over the next decade?

OM: While utility-scale solar has a role, Pakistan’s strategy should prioritize distributed generation to maximize efficiency. Transmission infrastructure is a bottleneck for large plants, leading to underutilized lines and higher costs. Distributed solar reduces grid strain and allows energy to be generated near consumption points. Combining solar with productive land use, such as agriculture or small-scale farming, further enhances efficiency. Pakistan should avoid relying solely on utility-scale projects and instead build a balanced energy mix with distributed solar as the foundation.

BRR: With DISCOs reporting rising daytime surplus and evening shortages, does Pakistan risk large-scale solar curtailment in the coming years? What technical or regulatory measures should be prioritized?

OM: Large-scale curtailment of rooftop solar is unlikely because selectively controlling numerous installations is technically impractical. Instead, the focus should be on utilization strategies and TOU metering, incentivizing consumption when solar generation is high. Encouraging battery storage allows households to store daytime energy for evening use, making curtailment largely unnecessary while also promoting investment in hybrid systems.

BRR: Battery prices have fallen globally by more than 80 percent over the past decade. How close is Pakistan to reaching cost parity where solar-plus-storage becomes commercially viable for C&I and residential segments?

OM: Pakistan has effectively reached commercially viable economics for solar-plus-storage. Factories and households are already adopting these systems, often achieving payback in less than five years. Declining battery costs and rising electricity tariffs make hybrid systems increasingly attractive. Even if net-metering incentives are adjusted, adoption will continue, gradually reducing daytime grid demand and enhancing energy resilience.

BRR: Industries have accelerated the shift toward captive solar due to high grid tariffs. Do you expect the industrial captive market to keep growing despite net-metering uncertainty and lower export demand?

OM: Yes, growth will continue. Solar reduces electricity costs and provides a ‘green premium’ for export-oriented industries, especially in Europe. This enhances competitiveness and encourages expansion with solar integration. Industrial players see clear financial and strategic benefits, making captive solar a growing segment in Pakistan’s energy mix despite policy uncertainties.

BRR: With local panel assemblers pushing for protection and the government exploring domestic manufacturing incentives, Is local manufacturing viable in Pakistan, and how could global players like LONGi partner in this transition?

OM: Local assembly is currently not viable. Panels produced domestically are primarily for local use and cannot be exported competitively. Production costs, labor, and quality assurance increase final costs by about 30%, while quality may be slightly lower. Until government policies create a strong business case, including incentives for quality and competitiveness, large-scale investment in local manufacturing remains challenging for global players.

BRR: LONGi has introduced advanced Back-Contact and high-efficiency modules in Pakistan. Which technologies will dominate Pakistan’s next wave of deployment, and what efficiency gains can buyers expect?

OM: Globally, the shift toward back-contact modules began around 2018–2019 and continues to accelerate. These high-efficiency modules offer greater energy yields per square meter. While standard panels may remain in lower-cost segments, Pakistan generally follows global trends, as locally developed panels face quality perception challenges. Over time, back-contact and other high-efficiency technologies are expected to dominate the market.

BRR: Does Pakistan need an updated solar grid code, especially for inverter standards, anti-islanding, and storage integration? How far behind are we from global best practices?

OM: Pakistan’s grid code is relatively up to date and includes relevant standards. The main challenge is installer awareness and training. Unlike the U.S. or Europe, Pakistan does not require mandatory certification for installers, which sometimes results in low-quality work. The gap lies not in the code but in education, professional training, and enforcement of technical standards.

BRR: Pakistan has announced plans for large solar parks and utility-scale tenders. What are the technical and financial bottlenecks limiting faster scale-up, particularly in transmission capacity and evacuation?

OM: Utility-scale projects face significant land use and transmission challenges. Large plants require thousands of acres, which is difficult in an agriculture-focused country. Additionally, transmission lines often remain underutilized, raising overall project costs. Investors must account for the mismatch between power plant efficiency and transmission viability, which remains one of the biggest obstacles to scaling up utility-scale solar.

BRR: Given that Pakistani banks still classify solar projects as high-risk, what changes are required in financial instruments, guarantees, or regulatory frameworks to deepen solar financing?

OM: Although solar projects have strong fundamentals, banks perceive them as high-risk. Improved financial instruments, guarantees, and regulatory clarity are needed. Mechanisms such as credit enhancement programs, partial risk guarantees, and long-term power purchase agreements can increase bank confidence, enabling deeper financing for industrial, commercial, and residential solar adoption.

BRR: If you look ahead to 2030: What is the most realistic solar capacity Pakistan can achieve, and what policy or grid reforms are absolutely non-negotiable to get there?

OM: Pakistan can achieve significant solar capacity by 2030, particularly through distributed generation, hybrid systems, and selective utility-scale projects. Non-negotiable reforms include clear and stable net-metering policies, TOU tariffs, storage integration, and strengthened grid management. Enhancing transmission capacity and integrating smart meters are also critical. With these measures, Pakistan can efficiently harness solar energy, ensuring energy security and commercial viability.