KARACHI: The Defense Housing Authority (DHA) has sent notices and slapped fines on many of its residents for “violating” its building control regulations by installing solar panels on their rooftops.
This is despite the federal government encouraging people to generate power through alternative energy sources to reduce dependence on expensive fuel.
PM Shehbaz Sharif approved a 10,000 MW solar energy project and removed the 17% general sales tax on solar panels earlier this month in order to reduce reliance on expensive imported diesel, furnace oil, and LNG for power generation.
But this development was seen as surprising by residents who are shocked that DHA, which allowed them to install solar panels in the first place, is now threatening to penalize them.
“It’s a strange and unexpected development because so many houses in DHA have solar panels on their rooftops. They were not questioned about it earlier, but rather encouraged to do so. All of a sudden, they’re expected to pay refurbishment fees in thousands of rupees,” said a resident.
A DHA spokesperson told the sources that the Authority supports green energy as stated in 2020 bylaws, which are also available on the website. “All we ask is that any new construction that includes provision for solar panels include it in their design drawing and that the drawing be approved by a structural engineer.”
“We can’t let everyone do whatever they want because some steel structures for the panels would be too high, while others would be as low as your boundary wall. There must also be some symmetry,” the spokesperson added.
As far as bylaws are concerned. It makes sense but penalizing the installed Panels is a Joke. DHA should inspect and resolve the issues if it is unsafe!! The Solar or any other Renewable Energy is a requirement not a Luxury to be Baned