Yemen is the third Arab country in solar photovoltaic generation
English - Sunday 13 June 2021 الساعة 10:04 am
Aden, NewsYemen, special:
A recent study revealed that Yemen ranks third in the countries of the Arab Middle East, with solar photovoltaic generation, with a capacity of 732 GWh, after the UAE 1,076 and Jordan 1,476 GWh.
The market for solar energy systems has witnessed an unprecedented boom in Yemen, becoming the preferred alternative to electricity after the collapse of the national grid, especially in the northern and central governorates, where public power stations were out of order.
The study "Priorities for Recovery and Reform of the Electricity Sector in Yemen" said that more than half of Yemen's population, 75% in urban areas and 50% in rural areas, use small solar photovoltaic systems as an alternative source of electricity.
Most of these systems provide for basic electrical needs, such as lighting and charging for mobile phones.
The total capacity of imported and installed solar PV systems in Yemen was reported to have reached 500MW, by 2018.
According to a telephone survey conducted by the World Bank, there has been an increase in the number of Yemenis who rely on small solar power systems for homes as their main source of electricity.
The study issued by the “Reimagining the Yemeni Economy Initiative” project pointed out that in December 2019, the percentage of those using solar energy systems was about 75% of the population, while 12% of them continued to rely on electricity from the national grid, and 12% of electricity from private networks. Only 1% use their own generators.
Many companies have started to sell solar PV systems, even non-specialized stores, such as electronics, appliances and mobile phone stores, due to the high demand for solar PV systems and their guaranteed profits.
The study added that although solar energy provides a viable solution for many homes, utility facilities and agricultural purposes, it is still necessary to address the problem of product quality to properly invest in and use solar energy systems.
She stressed that from an environmental point of view, there is no suitable way to dispose of and recycle hazardous materials from spent batteries, solar panels or electronic waste in general.
