Sanaa, the capital city of Yemen, has been stricken by wars that knocked down the power grids. Many people have turned to selling solar panels as a result.
One such guy is Ebrahim al-Faqih, who saw an opportunity with solar panels. Even before the grid was knocked out, Yemen didn’t have the best technology for power. Now, with solar technology, it is giving more people access to power.
As Faqih explains, “Even people who used to work selling food moved to work in solar energy because of the high demand.” At his shop in Sanaa, he sells solar panels and water heaters that are imported from India and China.
There is currently no state power supply for Sanaa and many other areas and generators and are too expensive for most people to be able to afford. The United Nations reports that Yemen has agreed to put an end to the fighting, this could also end their power struggles. Hopefully, this will help out with more people gaining access to solar power.
Sanaa resident Akram Noman said: “Alternative energy is better, it changed my life dramatically. Now I barely rely on normal electricity.” He would like tax reforms to encourage more solar energy use and loans for farmers to buy solar.
Some farmers have switched over from expensive diesel-powered generators to solar-powered water pumps. One farmer, Omar Homadi, said: “Our land had dried up but now it has come back to life thanks to the solar energy.”
Fuel shortages have also made water difficult to come by. More solar pumps will give more people access to clean water. Electricity is something that many of us take for granted in the more privileged parts of the world.
Muhammad Yahya, a Sanaa resident helps to put things in perspective: “Electricity these days isn’t just for lighting — electricity is life.” He has hopes that once the fighting stops everyone will have access to electricity.
It’s a shame that this all came about as a result of wars and fighting, but hopefully, it will be a way for more people to gain access to electricity, along with a means for others to earn a living.
