According to a notification issued by the company, now solar customers will be provided with connections only through  AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) meters.

According to LESCO sources, the price of the new AMI meter has been set at Rs 70,000, while previously solar consumers were provided with meters worth around Rs 35,000.

This sudden increase has worried consumers, as the price of new meters has doubled.

The administration further informed that on the instructions of the Ministry of Energy, the issuance of ordinary meters for solar connections has been stopped.

Energy experts say that although the AMI meter is equipped with modern technology and helps in accurately monitoring electricity consumption, its high cost is a major and additional financial burden for ordinary consumers. This new requirement will create further difficulties for many consumers who have already invested in solar projects.

On the other hand, recent incidents of theft of solar panels in Punjab have also raised questions about solar policy.

According to the Public Accounts Committee report, solar panels were stolen from 50 schools in Rajanpur alone in 2022 and 2023. The committee expressed serious concern over this situation and directed the police to conduct an immediate investigation.

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Committee Chairman Tanveer Aslam Malik said in the meeting that instead of accepting its responsibility, the Education Department is placing the matter on the District Health Authority, which is unacceptable.

The committee directed that details be collected from all districts on how many schools had solar panels stolen and how many were recovered.