Pakistan has launched its first solar PV testing laboratory, built and equipped by KOICA with additional funding from Pakistan’s PSDP
The lab is seeking ISO-17025 accreditation for IEC-61215 and IEC-61730 standards and aims to become a CBTL under the IECEE scheme
The government will use the facility to certify local PV products, support exports, and enable PSQCA to begin mandatory and random testing of imported solar panels
One of the surprise solar PV markets of 2024, Pakistan has set up the country’s maiden testing laboratory for solar panels with support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). Once accredited, it will become the first certified testing facility for solar panels in the country.
The PAK-KOREA Testing Laboratory for PV Modules and Allied Equipment was established through a collaboration between Pakistan’s Ministry of Science & Technology (MoST) and KOICA. The latter has provided a grant aid of $9.5 million, alongside a PKR 185.8 million contribution from Pakistan’s Public Sector Development Program (PSDP).
KOICA built the PV testing lab in Islamabad, supplying and installing all testing equipment, while MoST provided local support, including land. The Korean agency will also help the lab obtain ISO 17025 accreditation for the IEC 61215 and IEC 61730 standards.
Pakistan aims for this facility to secure the status of Certification Body Testing Laboratory (CBTL) under the IECEE scheme, which will allow it to issue IEC compliance certificates and support local PV manufacturers in exporting their products to Europe and Central Asia.
With the inauguration of the testing laboratory, the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) has initiated the process to include solar panels in its list of mandatory items. It will also conduct random testing of samples from each imported consignment at the lab.
“The Pakistan–Korea PV Modules Testing Laboratory, a joint initiative of the Ministry of Science and Technology and KOICA, represents a vital milestone in strengthening Pakistan’s renewable energy sector, enhancing industrial capacity, and creating skilled opportunities for the youth—bringing science closer to society and quality closer to industry,” stated the ministry.
Pakistan rose to prominence in the global solar PV market last year, when it reportedly sourced 16 GW of solar modules from China. As of March 2025, it had already imported 39 GW of Chinese panels, according to local energy think tank Renewables First. The government now wants to speed up domestic solar manufacturing as high electricity prices boost demand for solar, and lower its dependence on imports (see Renewables First: Pakistan’s 9M FY2025 Solar Panel Imports Hit 12.7 GW).
