Tired of power cuts, blockaded Gaza turns to solar — in pictures

An increasing number of Palestinians are turning to renewable energy to make up for electricity shortages

Palestinians in the Israeli-blockaded enclave of Gaza have long endured an unstable and costly electricity supply, so restaurateur and fish farmer Yasser Al Hajj found a different solution – solar power. All photos: AFP

Mr Al Hajj's seafood restaurant The Sailor, in Gaza. Electricity generated by solar panels is used to provide oxygen for fish pools underneath the eatery and pump water from the sea.

Savings created by the solar panels over six years are now paying for refurbishments to the business. 'Electricity is the backbone of the project,' said Mr Al Hajj.

Gaza bakery owner Bishara Shehadeh has installed hundreds of panels on his roof. Surplus electricity generated during the day is sold to the electricity company.

Next, Mr Shehadeh wants to replace his diesel-powered ovens with electric ones.

The bakery and fish farm partly relied on foreign donors to kick-start their switch to solar, although their owners are also investing their own cash.

Financing options are available for Gazans with some capital, like Mr Shehadeh, who got a four-year loan to fund his bakery project.

At a store selling solar power kits, engineer Shehab Hussein said prices start at around $1,000. Clients include a garment factory and a drinks producer.

Raya Al Dadah, who heads the University of Birmingham's sustainable energy technology laboratory in the UK, said her family in Gaza has for more than 15 years been using simple solar panels to heat water.

Despite challenges, such as imports of sophisticated technology being restricted by Egypt and Israel, Ms Al Dadah said solar energy remains 'a brilliant option' for Gaza.

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