The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab has issued a directive to multiple departments across the province, urging the immediate formulation and enforcement of safety guidelines and rules for the installation of solar panels.
In an official letter addressed to the Energy Department, Local Government Department, and all Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners, the PDMA raised serious concerns over recent windstorm-related incidents, attributing 70 percent of reported accidents to improperly installed solar panels and related infrastructure.
According to PDMA, many solar panels had been installed in a non-standard manner, resulting in them being dislodged from poles or rooftops during high winds and causing property damage and injuries. The authority stressed that solar panels on rooftops and in open structures must be installed with strict safety precautions going forward.
The PDMA has called for a province-wide review of existing solar panel installations to assess potential risks and ensure compliance with updated safety protocols. It is recommended that standardised and certified procedures be adopted for all future installations to minimise the risk of such accidents recurring.
The directive includes the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for repair, maintenance, testing, and routine inspection of solar panels. It also urged relevant departments to issue regulatory guidelines to all institutions, businesses, and individuals involved in solar panel installations.
The PDMA emphasised that with growing reliance on solar energy, especially in residential and commercial areas, it is essential to implement strict safety regulations to protect lives and property from climate-related hazards.