Off grid solar Cuba

Could more solar power boost Cuba's electric grid?

By ALEXA ST. JOHN, INGRID LOBET and ANDREA RODRIGUEZ HAVANA (AP) — Cuba’s large-scale blackouts that left 10 million people without power this month may not have happened if the government had built out more solar power to boost its failing electric grid as promised, some experts say.

What if Cuba had built out more solar power?

Cuba’s large-scale blackouts that left 10 million people without power this month wouldn’t have happened if the government had built out more solar power to boost its failing electric grid as promised, some experts say.

How many off-grid solar systems are there in Cuba?

By the end of 2014, over 1,500 off-grid solar systems were powering clinics, schools, community centers, and homes located in remote areas of Granma Province. The Cuban government has stated that it wants to have 700 MW of solar energy capacity installed by 2030.

Can solar power solve Cuba's energy problems?

In a nation with plentiful sunshine, Cuban officials have long had the opportunity to encourage solar power as one solution to national energy problems. But October’s sweeping outages — the island’s worst power failure in years — show little progress has been made.

How will solar energy impact Cuba's energy demand and production?

For solar energy to have a long-term impact on Cuba’s energy demand and production, projects must expand beyond off-grid usage. The focus should shift toward urban applications of solar systems and the further development of solar-powered domestic appliances.

How much solar energy will Cuba have by 2030?

The Cuban government has stated that it wants to have 700 MW of solar energy capacity installed by 2030. Cuba can rely on local expertise to help support the growth of solar energy around the country.