An alternative solution in Gaza... solar panels in the face of electricity outages in the Strip

2024-02-25 2024-02-25T12:41:47Z

Weather of Arabia - Among the crowded tents in Rafah, where the displaced are suffering, dark-colored solar panels are spread, whether over the tents, on the roads, or even on the rooftops of crowded houses, and many people gather around those panels wishing to charge their mobile phones or radios. .

In light of the war... solar energy captures the sun of hope in Rafah

Deep inside the city, the demand for alternative energy has increased significantly among the region’s residents after the outbreak of war, as the Mawasi Rafah area occupies a prominent position as one of the largest displacement areas in the Gaza Strip, where nearly a million displaced Palestinians live in very difficult conditions, according to local authorities’ estimates. And the United Nations.

After arriving from Jabalia camp in the north of the Gaza Strip to Rafah, Tariq Masoud’s family, consisting of 9 members , decided to invest in 4 solar panels and additional energy tools, after they found themselves forced to live in a tent.

This was not the first time that the Masoud family was forced to flee their home. With every new conflict in the Gaza Strip, the family is forced to leave their home in search of safety, but in this war, there is no safe place left, according to Masoud and others.

Masoud, 33 years old, points out that the decision to buy solar panels was a solution to restore light in their lives, as they installed them on top of their tent. He added: "These panels illuminated our lives in these difficult circumstances and gave us hope again."

In addition to its impact on daily life, solar energy helped Masoud resume his work in preparing and selling wood panels, thanks to the large demand from the population, whether for heating or to install more tents to shelter displaced families.

Solar energy in Gaza

Solar panels represent hope and a symbol of life for the residents of Gaza, who have been suffering from a stifling electricity crisis for 4 months , after Israel prevented the delivery of energy to the Strip.

Before the war, Gaza residents received only 6 hours of electricity per day, and diesel generators were used to cover the remaining hours at high prices, but some residents found an alternative solution in installing solar panels on the roofs of their homes to provide electrical energy, a solution that has been used since 2006.

Ibrahim Al-Zeini, a resident of Rafah, relies on solar panels that he bought before the war to power his electrolyzer and charge neighbors' mobile phones. and say:

“These panels illuminated our lives in these difficult circumstances and gave us hope.”

In light of the severe electricity shortage, solar energy contributes to alleviating the suffering of displaced people, and provides income opportunities for some families by charging phones and batteries for others in exchange for a small fee.