Anas Alhajji

Power Crises Spark Solar Booms; Cuba’s Forgotten Legacy

♨️Syria and Lebanon have seen a dramatic surge in rooftop solar installations, driven by severe, ongoing power shortages that have pushed households and businesses to seek reliable, independent energy solutions. ♨️Cuba faces a similar situation today—with chronic blackouts, fuel shortages, and an aging grid forcing people to adapt. The island could follow the same path, rapidly expanding rooftop and distributed solar to meet everyday needs.Few people realize that Cuba was actually a pioneer in solar and renewable energy efforts decades ago. ♨️As early as the 1970s (in response to global oil crises), Cuba established dedicated solar research under its Academy of Sciences, and by the 1980s it was actively installing solar panels in rural health centers, electrifying off-grid schools and clinics with PV systems, and developing renewable programs. Fidel Castro highlighted renewables and efficiency as far back as 1981, and organizations like Cubasolar helped spread solar tech in remote areas starting in the 1990s. ♨️While Cuba's major push came later with the 2006 "Energy Revolution" (focusing on efficiency and renewables amid post-Soviet challenges), its early foundations in solar date back 45–50 years—putting it ahead of many nations at the time in exploring alternatives to imported oil. ♨️Cuba has the abundant sunshine and proven track record to once again lead in decentralized solar solutions. The current crisis could spark a new wave of rooftop adoption, much like in Syria and Lebanon. Cubans fight blackouts with solar as US extends oil chokehold https://t.co/jtOhtAA7po