How solar power is reshaping rooftop traditions in Multan

For generations, rooftops in Multan served as a cherished extension of family life, especially during the city's intense summer heat, when households would move upstairs at dusk to catch the evening breeze, gather together, and often sleep beneath the open sky.

That tradition is now being reshaped by the growing presence of solar panels across the city's rooftops, according to a feature report from the Associated Press of Pakistan.

A changing rooftop landscape

As more households in Multan adopt solar energy systems to cope with the region's frequent power outages and rising electricity costs, the physical space once reserved for evening gatherings and open-air sleeping is increasingly being shared with, or replaced by, solar installations.

The shift reflects a broader trend across parts of Pakistan, where solar adoption has accelerated in response to unreliable grid electricity and the rising cost of conventional power, prompting many families to invest in rooftop solar systems despite the upfront cost.

While solar panels offer a practical solution to energy shortages, the change is also altering everyday domestic routines that had been passed down through generations, as families adjust how they use their rooftop space during the hot summer months.

The report highlights how this quiet transformation, driven largely by necessity, is nonetheless reshaping a cultural practice long associated with communal family life in the city.