Does Lebanon have solar power?

Myriam Boulos—Magnum Photos for TIME Lebanon went from generating zero solar power in 2010 to having 90 megawatts of solar capacity in 2020. But the major surge happened when a further 100 megawatts were added in 2021 and 500 megawatts in 2022, according to the LCEC’s Khoury.

Why are people rushing to install solar panels in Lebanon?

A solar panel installation in Bikfaya, north of Beirut. (Photo courtesy ME Green) Faced with simultaneous energy, economic and financial crises, and with little to no provision of state electricity, many people in Lebanon are rushing to install solar panels.

Are rooftop solar panels a good idea for Lebanon?

Rooftop solar panels are offering the promise of a more normal way of living in Lebanon amidst an unsteady electricity supply – for those who can afford it.

How much solar power will Lebanon have in 2022?

Over 650 megawatts (MW) were installed in 2022 alone, says El-Khoury, bringing Lebanon's total solar capacity to 870MW, according to his figures. "Installed capacity should reach 1,000MW in June ," he says. He estimates that the installed capacity of diesel generators, meanwhile, likely amounts to 1,000-1,500MW.

Are solar panels a real thing in Lebanon?

But on the ground, the reality is much more complex, according to Philippe al-Khoury, co-founder of ME Green, a Lebanese company founded before the crisis that specializes in installing solar panels. The company is present in Lebanon as well as in some European and African markets.

Are the mazloums in Lebanon getting solar panels?

The Mazloums are hardly alone in Lebanon. Solar panels have been cropping up across the country over the past two years, from the rooftops of rural households to urban apartments, and from atop family-run businesses to buildings housing national and multinational organizations.