Can solar power power a Palestinian enclave?

So, in recent years, people across the Palestinian enclave have been turning to solar energy to power their businesses and homes. Yasser al-Hajj, who owns a seaside fish farm and restaurant, installed solar panels six years ago. "Electricity is the backbone of the project.

Are solar panels still used in Gaza?

Raya al-Dadah, head of the Sustainable Energy Technology Laboratory at the University of Birmingham in the UK, says that the solar panels her family uses in Gaza are over 15 years old, so they are no longer new, but, she says, "the water in the shower is still very hot”.

Can solar panels help cut energy bills in Gaza?

Businesses and households in the blockaded Palestinian enclave are turning to solar panels to keep the lights on, and it’s helping cut their energy bills. Blockaded by Israel since 2007, the Gaza Strip only has electricity for 12 hours per day on average - less when the conflict escalates.

How much do solar panels cost in Gaza?

According to him, solar panels can be installed for a starting price of around €1,000. Most of the solar tiles used in Gaza come from China. With a minimum of maintenance, they can be used for several years, but their batteries must be changed every two or three years.

Is solar energy a viable investment in Gaza?

According to the journal Energy, Sustainability and Society, 20 per cent of households in Gaza now rely on solar energy. "Over the past two years, entrepreneurs have turned to solar energy because it saves (money) and is a profitable investment," said Shehab Hussein, an engineer at local solar kit company MegaPower.

Why did Yasser al-Hajj install solar panels?

Yasser al-Hajj, who owns a seaside fish farm and restaurant, installed solar panels six years ago. "Electricity is the backbone of the project. We rely on it to provide oxygen for the fish, in addition to drawing and pumping water from the sea. Without electricity, our project is dead”, he told the AFP news agency.