On December 6, Pakistan’s first professional photovoltaic module testing laboratory, the “Pakistan-Korea PV Module and Equipment Testing Laboratory,” was officially inaugurated. Jointly developed by Pakistan’s Ministry of Science and Technology and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the laboratory will fill a critical gap in the professional testing of PV modules in Pakistan, providing essential support for the country’s clean energy transition and industrial upgrading.
It is reported that the laboratory’s total investment includes a $9.5 million grant from KOICA and matching funds of 185.8 million Pakistani rupees from Pakistan’s Public Sector Development Program. KOICA led the entire construction process, not only providing and commissioning a full set of professional testing equipment but also designing a nine-month systematic training program to ensure the laboratory’s operational efficiency. However, the laboratory must obtain ISO-17025 international accreditation, covering IEC-61215 and IEC-61730 standards, before it can officially begin operations.
The Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), as the operating entity, has initiated the process of including solar panels in the mandatory certification product list. A relevant official from the authority stated that once operational, the laboratory will conduct random sampling inspections for each batch of imported PV modules, leveraging its professional testing capabilities to strengthen quality safeguards in the domestic market. This measure is highly targeted, as data shows a surge in Pakistan’s PV module imports, reaching 13 GW from China alone in 2024, highlighting an urgent need for professional testing to ensure market standardization.
The laboratory also carries the mission of promoting the internationalization of Pakistan’s domestic industry. PSQCA plans to help the laboratory obtain “Certification Body Testing Laboratory” status, which would enable it to issue IEC international compliance certificates, paving the way for local PV companies to access markets in Europe and Central Asia. Currently, Pakistan’s grid-connected net-metering solar capacity has reached 4.1 GW, signaling accelerating potential for domestic industry growth.
During the inauguration ceremony, KOICA President Chang Won Sam noted that Pakistan possesses abundant solar resources, and the laboratory will become a key pillar of its energy transition. “We firmly believe that Pakistan can accelerate its green energy transition, and Korea will continue to support its efforts to enhance international standard certification capabilities,” he said.
Industry analysis suggests that the laboratory’s launch coincides with a period of rapid growth in Pakistan’s PV industry. It will not only regulate the import market but also lay the groundwork for local manufacturing to go global, playing a significant role in Pakistan’s goal of achieving 60% renewable energy by 2030.
