If you are considering going solar in Pakistan, choosing the proper solar panels is a huge selection—mainly whilst choosing among the most important brands like Longi and Canadian Solar. The climate, roof space, installer support, and your electricity needs all matter. In this blog, I’ll walk you through the key factors to consider so you make a well-informed decision.
1. Panel Efficiency & Types
Longi and Canadian Solar panels are ordinarily monocrystalline, often using PERC, half-reduced, bifacial, or the newer TOPCon technology. These provide higher performance per watt than older polycrystalline kinds. If your rooftop space is limited, better efficiency lets you generate more power without having a big location.
Efficiency drops beneath high warmness, dirt, or negative orientation. Longi has a tendency to perform slightly better in very warm, dusty situations because of higher thermal control, even as Canadian Solar is known for strong overall performance in numerous climates.
2. Degradation & Warranty
How a panel degrades over the years influences your power output for decades. Longi regularly advertises extremely low annual degradation; that means output stays towards its rated capability for longer. Canadian Solar also presents strong performance warranties (25 years is commonplace); however, ensure you test the product warranty (associated with defects) and performance guarantee (how much electricity it nonetheless supplies after X years).
Also take a look at the guarantee terms in Pakistan especially—whether the nearby distributor/service center honors the warranty and what conditions (cleansing, tilt, coloration, and many others) would possibly void it.
3. Price vs. Value
Panel cost is not just what you pay upfront, but what you get over the life of the system. Longi has a tendency to carry a top class whilst you’re buying better-cease or very excessive output panels; Canadian Solar can also offer barely higher pricing in step with watts in many residential initiatives.
However, pay attention to hidden prices: shipping, import obligations, stronger frames (to deal with hundreds of wind or snow), inverter matching, and cost of installation. An inexpensive panel that underperforms or fails early will cost you more in the end.
4. Heat, Climate & Dust Considerations
Pakistan has a hot and often dusty climate. High temperatures reduce panel efficiency. Dust, bird droppings, or shade reduce output. When installing panels from either brand:
- Ensure excellent airflow underneath panels (expanded mounting allows).
Clean panels frequently; performance losses because of dirt are actual.
Choose panels with better anti-soiling coatings or frames that withstand corrosion (crucial in coastal or humid areas).
Longi often gets excessive marks for managing heat, at the same time as Canadian Solar is praised for robustness in various climates.
5. Roof Space, Angle & Mounting
If you’re working with limited roof space, go for panels with higher wattage and good efficiency so you get more power per square meter. Bifacial panels (Longi and Canadian Solar each make them) also can come up with greater yield if the mirrored image underneath is right (like a mild-colored roof or reflective surface).
Angle or tilt matters: in most Pakistani towns, a tilt of ~25-30° is right for maximizing 12-month-round generation. Mounting structures have to be sturdy and permit airflow. Sheet metallic roofs, concrete slabs, and flat roofs—all of them need specific mounting designs. Also recollect orientation (going through south is generally best in Pakistan) and fend off shading (bushes, chimneys, neighboring walls) specifically for the duration of top sun hours.
6. Inverter Compatibility & System Design
Your panels are just part of the solar system. To use them well, select a like-minded inverter: string inverter, microinverter, or hybrid/MPPT, relying on your setup (net-metered grid-tie, off-grid, hybrid, and so on). Longi and Canadian Solar panels may additionally have extraordinary voltage or modern rankings; ensuring your inverter works nicely with panel specifications is important.
Also consider wiring losses: use satisfactory cables, reduce distance among panels and inverter, and use proper connectors and cable trays. System design (length of the array, variety of panels in series/parallel) impacts voltage, current, and power loss.
7. Local Support, After-Sales & Authenticity
Even the high-quality sun panels want occasional care. Make sure your dealer or installer is certified, has proper evaluations, and is responsive. For panels under guarantee, having a local service center facilitates ease of claiming maintenance or replacements.
Authenticity matters: there are counterfeit or low-grade units in the market. Ask for serial numbers, guarantee cards, test certificates, and Tier-1 or IEC certifications. Confirm that the panel you buy is genuine, and take photos or documentation at delivery.
8. Government Policies & Net Metering
Pakistan has net-metering regulations, which allow you to feed excess electricity back to the grid and reduce your electricity bills. Check whether your area is eligible. Make sure your system meets the requirements (certified panels/inverters, proper safety standards, etc.) so your net-metering application is accepted smoothly.
Also see if there are import duties or local taxes on solar equipment in your province, because that can affect your final cost significantly.
9. Return on Investment & Payback Period
One of the biggest questions is “How long will it take to recover my investment?” For Longi or Canadian Solar panels:
- Calculate how much electricity you use monthly, the electricity tariff, the projected generation of the solar system, and the expected savings.
- Include maintenance costs (cleaning, inverter replacement if needed).
- Typical payback for good residential systems in Pakistan falls in the range of 4-6 years, depending on system size, panel type, and electricity prices.
Choosing higher performance panels may reduce payback time even though they cost more initially.
10. Maintenance Tips & Lifespan
To get the most from your investment:
- Clean panels every few weeks, especially in dusty or agricultural areas.
- Check for loose or corroded connections.
- Monitor generation (many inverters or monitoring systems can alert you to drops in performance).
- Trim nearby trees or remove shade.
Longi and Canadian Solar panels are built to last 25+ years, but real-life lifespan and output depend heavily on installation quality and upkeep.
Which One to Choose: Longi or Canadian Solar?
There isn’t one “continually exceptional” preference—each manufacturer has strengths. But here’s a rough manual:
If roof space is small, you want maximum output, or you expect excessive warmth and dirt, Longi may give slightly better performance.
If finances are a chunk tighter but you still need solid durability and a good warranty, Canadian Solar offers outstanding cost.
For massive commercial systems or business installations, comparing wattage and cost in line with watts, shipping, and local availability may be key.
If feasible, go to installations for your vicinity that use both manufacturers, ask for overall performance data, and compare quoted returns.
Conclusion
Choosing between Longi and Canadian Solar panels comes right down to your neighborhood situations, finances, and long-termdesires. Whatever your desire, focusing on precise, high-quality, accurate installation and the right maintenance, and making sure a nearby guide is available makes all the difference. At Dawam Solars, we trust in helping you make smart decisions so your solar investment pays off—in your wallet and for the planet.
FAQs
Q: How many watts do I need for a typical home in Pakistan?
For a medium household (lights, fans, 1-2 ACs), usually a 5-7 kW system works well; scale up if you have higher loads or want battery backup.
Q: Do bifacial panels work better here?
Yes, in many cases—they can capture reflected light from under panels and increase yield, especially with reflective roofs or bright surfaces beneath.
Q: What efficiency loss can I expect after 10 years?
With good brands like Longi or Canadian Solar, you might see around 5-10% loss over 10 years if maintained properly.
Q: How important is net metering in Pakistan?
Very—net metering lets you send excess power to the grid and lower your bills; it can greatly improve your return on investment.