Punjab Solar Power Scheme Explained: Who Qualifies and How to Apply

Solar Works Pakistan is a private solar EPC company. We are not part of the government, we do not register applicants, and we cannot influence balloting. This guide summarises the official information we could find as of 13 October 2026, with links to the sources. Always check the official portal before acting.

The CM Punjab Free Solar Panel Scheme

What it gives

The scheme provides a small solar system installed at the home. Reports describe panels, an inverter, wiring and, in the original pilot announcement, a battery. Panels and inverters are linked to the recipient's CNIC, and earlier announcements said they would carry barcodes or QR codes to stop resale.

These systems are meant to run fans, lights and small appliances, not ACs.

Who qualifies

From official and news reports:

• A domestic electricity consumer in Punjab.
• Average use of up to 200 units a month, on a single meter.
• Verified by the bill reference number and the CNIC of the bill holder.
• Reports on the earlier Roshan Gharana announcement said that electricity theft, multiple meters, tampered meters and unpaid bills disqualify an applicant.

How registration worked

1. Online: at the official portal, cmsolarscheme.punjab.gov.pk, by creating an account, verifying your email, entering your bill reference number and accepting the undertaking.
2. By SMS: sending the bill reference number, a space, and the CNIC number to 8800.
3. A helpline was announced as 990302024.

Registration closed on 5 January 2025. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz launched the digital ballot on 3 March 2025.

Where it stands now

• The first phase was planned at about 94,500 systems: roughly 47,000 of 0.55 kW and 47,000 of 1.1 kW. More than 800,000 households applied.
• Installation was to begin after physical verification of winners.
• In April 2026 the Punjab government extended the scheme's deadline by six months, from June 2026 to December 2026, with total cost put at nearly Rs 10 billion.

Beware of fake portals

Several unofficial websites copy the scheme's name and ask for CNIC and phone numbers, or claim to show "ballot results." In 2025, news reports warned the public about these sites. Use only the .punjab.gov.pk portal and the official SMS code. No one can sell you a place in the ballot.

Diagram

Three Punjab programmes, three different routes

Free solar panel scheme

Low-consumption households; selection by the government; check the official portal for any new round.

Roshan Gharana

Announced for consumers up to 500 units; check its current status before relying on it.

Tubewell solarisation

Agriculture Department; subsidy tiers for 10, 15 and 20 kW; ballot-based.

Apply only through official government channels. Nobody can guarantee selection for a fee.

Roshan Gharana: what was announced

"Roshan Gharana" is the name used in 2024 for the Punjab government's household solar programme. As announced in July 2024:

• Consumers using up to 500 units a month would be eligible, with low-income households first.
• The government would pay 90% of the system cost and the consumer 10%.
• The consumer's share would be paid in instalments over five years.

The free panel scheme for up to 200 units, described above, is the part that has clearly been rolled out. We could not confirm from official sources whether the larger 90/10 instalment option for up to 500 units was implemented, or whether it is open.

If you are looking at a larger system on finance, read our guide to solar on installments and bank financing.

The Punjab government solar tube well scheme

This is a separate programme for farmers, run first by the Agriculture Department and later by the Energy Department.

• Who: small farmers, reported as those with 1 to 25 acres.
• Subsidy (fixed amounts): about Rs 500,000 for systems up to 10 kW, Rs 750,000 up to 15 kW, and Rs 1,000,000 up to 20 kW. The farmer pays the balance.
• Selection: a draw. In February 2025 the Chief Minister launched the first phase, aimed at 8,000 tubewells. More than 530,000 farmers had applied, and 385,000 were found eligible for the draw.
• Vendors: winning farmers chose from pre-qualified vendors in their district.

By May 2025, Dawn and The News reported serious delays. Oversight had moved between departments, only a small number of installations were complete, and vendors were unhappy with the process.

For how solar pumps are sized by horsepower and bore depth, see our solar tubewell guide.

If you missed the scheme, or need more than 1.1 kW

The free systems are small by design. A 1.1 kW system will not run a 1.5-ton AC, a water motor and a fridge together. If your bill is well above 200 units, you are probably outside the scheme anyway, and you need a properly sized system.

Your realistic options:

1. Size it properly first. Use our solar calculator with your last 12 months of bills.
2. Pick the right type. Under Pakistan's 2026 net billing rules, exported units earn much less than they used to. Most homes now benefit from a hybrid system with a battery. Compare options in hybrid vs on-grid vs off-grid, and read the net metering and net billing guide for the rules.
3. Check prices and finance. See the solar system price guide and the bank financing guide.

Solar Works Pakistan designs and installs systems from about 6 kW upwards for homes, and up to megawatt scale for commercial and industrial clients. If your load genuinely needs only 1 to 3 kW, we will tell you so honestly and explain the sizing, but our own projects start at about 6 kW.

Solar Works Pakistan is not a registered vendor under any Punjab government solar scheme. We cannot apply on your behalf or influence selection. If you do not qualify or missed a round, we can design and install a privately funded system.

Get today's price or a free site survey

• WhatsApp or call: 0336 666 4321
• Email: info@solarworks.pk
• Head office: Main Boulevard, Sargodha Rd, Block F FDA City, Faisalabad
• Lahore branch: 2nd Floor, Jeff Heights, Gulberg, Lahore
• Hours: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, daily
• We serve all of Punjab. See our Faisalabad and Lahore pages, or contact us.

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for the CM Punjab free solar panel scheme?

Domestic consumers in Punjab using up to 200 units a month on a single meter, verified by bill reference number and CNIC. Recipients were chosen by computerised ballot from those who registered before 5 January 2025.

Can I still apply for the Punjab solar scheme?

Registration for the first phase closed on 5 January 2025. We found no official announcement of a new registration round as of October 2026. Check cmsolarscheme.punjab.gov.pk for updates.

What size system does the free solar scheme give?

0.55 kW for households using up to about 100 units a month, and 1.1 kW for those using up to 200 units. Each is a small installed system with panels and an inverter. Check the official portal for exactly what is included.

Is Roshan Gharana the same as the free solar panel scheme?

Roshan Gharana was the name used in 2024 for the household solar programme. It included free panels for low users and a 90/10 instalment plan for consumers up to 500 units. The free panel part has been rolled out; we could not confirm the status of the instalment part.

How much is the Punjab solar tubewell subsidy?

It was announced at about Rs 500,000 for up to 10 kW, Rs 750,000 for up to 15 kW and Rs 1,000,000 for up to 20 kW, for farmers with 1 to 25 acres. The scheme faced delays in 2025, so check its current status with the Punjab government.

Can Solar Works apply for the scheme on my behalf?

No. Applications go directly to the Punjab government through its official portal or SMS. Solar Works Pakistan is a private company and has no role in registration or balloting.

Is the free solar system enough to run an AC?

No. A 0.55 or 1.1 kW system is designed for fans, lights and small appliances. Running an inverter AC needs a larger system. See our solar for AC guide.

Sources

1. Dawn, "Free solar panel scheme formally launched in Punjab" (3 Mar 2025)
2. The Express Tribune, "How to register for Punjab's free solar panel scheme" (5 Mar 2025)
3. ProPakistani, "Punjab Govt Announces Deadline to Register For Free Solar Panels" (4 Jan 2025)
4. The Nation, "100,000 homes to get free solar panels in Punjab: CM" (6 Jan 2025): https://www.nation.com.pk/06-Jan-2025/100-000-homes-to-get-free-solar-panels-in-punjab-cm
5. ProPakistani, "Punjab Extends Free Solar Panel Scheme Deadline" (14 Apr 2026)
6. Daily Pakistan, "CM Punjab solar panel scheme balloting 2025 update" (18 Aug 2025)
7. ARY News, "Roshan Gharana: Punjab govt to pay for solar panels" (8 Jul 2024): https://arynews.tv/roshan-gharana-punjab-govt-to-pay-for-solar-panels-for-public
8. Aaj News, "Check if you're eligible for Punjab's solar panel financing scheme" (20 Jul 2024)
9. The Express Tribune, "Solar tube well scheme launched" (2 Feb 2025)
10. Dawn, "Delays in Punjab solar subsidy scheme disappoint 450,000 farmers" (3 May 2025)
11. The News, "Solar tube-well programme faces roadblock" (3 May 2025)