Papua New Guinea's power authority has launched an ambitious push to put solar panels on roofs across its capital.
While off-grid solar panels have hugely expanded access to electricity across the developing country, to date it's been illegal for businesses to generate power from rooftop panels in Port Moresby.
But in a Pacific nation that gets more than 300 days of sunshine a year and is aiming to be 100 per cent renewable by 2050, authorities are calling for a change.
International development fund IFC says it and PNG Power are now consulting on a programme to get panels on business roofs.
They hope to initially have about 2 per cent of peak electricity in Port Moresby supplied by the sun.
"This move represents a significant change for Papua New Guinea," IFC resident representative John Vivian said.
"Now that the costs of rooftop solar systems have dropped by about 80 per cent in the last five years, it makes commercial sense."
Currently only about 20 per cent of Papua New Guineans have access to the power grid, making it one of the most under-served markets in the world.
The introduction of solar panels has seen another 20 per cent gain access to basic electrical items, such as lights and cell phones, according to IFC.
Port Moresby is due to host the Asia Pacific Economic Corporation leaders' summit in November but concerns have been raised about its readiness.
PNG government coffers are struggling following a downturn in global commodity prices, the failure of an LNG project to deliver a promised economic boom, and a deadly earthquake in February.
Australia has chipped in close to $120 million towards PNG hosting APEC, with assistance covering cybersecurity, policing and firefighting.
