Pakistan inaugurated its first laboratory dedicated to testing photovoltaic (PV) modules on Saturday, marking a significant step toward strengthening the country’s renewable energy sector. According to a report by Dawn News.
The PAK-KOREA Testing Laboratory for PV Modules and Allied Equipment was established with $9.5 million in grant-aid from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and Rs185.8 million from Pakistan’s Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). The project was implemented jointly by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) and KOICA.
The lab is set to achieve ISO-17025 accreditation, including IEC-61215 and IEC-61730 standards, and will carry out random quality tests on imported solar panels. The Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) will oversee operations and aims to secure Certification Body Testing Laboratory (CBTL) status, enabling issuance of IEC compliance certificates to support local manufacturers’ exports to Europe and Central Asia.
KOICA supplied, installed, and commissioned all necessary equipment and provided a nine-month training program to ensure smooth operations. KOICA President Chang Won Sam and Republic of Korea Ambassador Park Jae-Lark attended the inauguration.
Chang highlighted Pakistan’s abundant solar resources as a key opportunity for clean energy growth. Dr. Jaesang Park, KOICA project manager, said the lab would significantly strengthen Pakistan’s solar industry.
The facility reflects decades of Pakistan-Korea cooperation since 1983 and is expected to play a crucial role in advancing technological capacity, industrial standards, and sustainable energy development in the country.
