Battery box solar Yemen

Why are people moving to solar power in Yemen?

The migration to solar power is part of what researchers say is an energy revolution in the country of 28 million, where the electric grid has been decimated by fighting. More than 50 percent of Yemeni households rely on the sun as their main source of energy, and solar arrays power everything from shops to schools to hospitals.

Can solar power solve Yemen's energy crisis?

A project between UNOPS and the World Bank will help finance off-grid solar systems to power vital basic services and improve access to electricity for vulnerable populations. Solar power has proved to be the most immediate solution for severe energy shortages throughout Yemen.

What is the Yemen solar project?

The project aims to restore or improve access to electricity for 1.4 million people in these areas of Yemen, around half of them women. Solar power for critical infrastructure, such as hospitals, schools, water corporations, and rural electricity providers will also be covered under the project.

Is solar power the solution to Yemen's energy shortages?

Solar power has proved to be the most immediate solution for severe energy shortages throughout Yemen. A booming solar industry has begun to develop, but the affordability of the products still presents a barrier to access for the poor and most vulnerable.

Is solar power a lifeline in Yemen?

“For many in Yemen, especially for farmers, solar power has been a lifeline,” says Matt Leonard, who specializes in microfinance with IFC. “The key now is to scale up its use.” Yemen has long been the poorest country in the Middle East and North Africa, but a conflict that broke out in 2014 has pushed the country to the brink.

How much does a solar array cost in Yemen?

That has pushed farmers toward solar arrays. But the up-front costs can be high. Rassam paid about 50 million Yemeni rials (around $90,000 based on the unofficial market exchange rate) for his system, which is considered large by local standards. The average cost of an array is around $10,000.