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.

Which regions in Yemen rely on solar energy?

Most Yemeni families, especially in the north, center, and west of the country, depend on solar energy now. It’s an experiment imposed by the tough circumstances, and is considered a positive phenomenon. But in recent years, they finally got electricity through this source.

Can Yemeni families get electricity from solar energy?

In recent years, most Yemeni families, especially in the north, center, and west of the country, finally got electricity through solar energy.

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 system cost in Yemen?

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. Rassam financed the solar panels with a loan from Al Kuraimi Islamic Bank, one of the country’s largest private lenders.

Why do Yemenis rely on diesel generators?

But a collapsing power grid—only 10 percent of Yemenis have access to central electricity—means that many farmers in Yemen’s arid hinterland rely on diesel generators to power wells. Along with belching out greenhouse gases, farmers say the generators are expensive to run.