LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed the authorities concerned to simplify the solar panel financing scheme.

Presiding over a meeting along with her father, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, here on Saturday, she directed the officials to ensure early completion of the required process for launching the scheme.

Energy Secretary Naeem Rauf apprised the meeting that under the pilot project, test run of the solar panel financing scheme had been launched at various sites. He said rating and performance of the solar panel system would be monitored.

Online monitoring of the solar system is ongoing through the Solar PV App. The scheme will be launched from Aug 14 after reviewing its test run success. The eligibility for the scheme can be checked by sending a bill reference number and CNIC number on 8800. The successful consumers will be informed through SMS after conducting the balloting process by the PITB.

The district administration and discos (distribution company) will verify credentials of the successful consumers in the balloting process. A Bar Code and QR Code will be imprinted on the solar panel and on the system as well so as to save the equipment from being sold in the panel market.

In the first phase, more 100,000 consumers will be given solar panels through the balloting process. It was informed in the briefing that the consumers involved in electricity theft, having more than one meters, having out of order or tampered meters, and not paying electricity bills would not be eligible for the solar scheme.

“Flour and electricity cost badly affects economic conditions of the people. We will definitely do whatever we can to provide maximum relief to the people,” the CM said.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2024