PSA denies solar structures primary cause of storm-related fatalities

LAHORE:The Pakistan Solar Association (PSA) while expressing grief over the tragic loss of 14 lives and injuries to over 100 individuals caused by the severe thunderstorm and heavy rains that struck various districts of Punjab on Saturday night, has denied that damaged solar structures were main cause of fatalities.

PSA objects to the misleading impression created by PDMA Punjab official, suggesting that ‘structural collapses caused by solar panels’ were linked to most fatalities. This statement is factually incorrect and contradicted by PDMA Punjab’s own official report, issued on May 25, claimed a central office-bearer of PSA.

According to the PDMA document, the majority of deaths and injuries occurred due to causes such as wall collapse, roof and shed collapse and falling trees during the storm. Only one incident in Jhelum refers to a solar panel along with a wall collapse as a contributing factor. This clearly indicates that solar-related structural issues were not the primary cause of fatalities, and the data must be read with responsibility and accuracy, he insisted.

Waqas Moosa, Chairman PSA, stated: ‘It is extremely unfortunate that solar systems are being singled out without context, especially when PDMA’s own report attributes the majority of damage and loss of life to weather-related structural failures unrelated to solar infrastructure. Such narratives risk misleading the public and damaging trust in a sector that is vital to Pakistan’s clean energy future.’ In public advisory, PSA urged the general public and rooftop solar system owners to always follow approved engineering guidelines and safety standards for solar installations.