Can Yemen use solar power?

It is possible for Yemen to use one of two types of solar power supply: centralized (on-grid) for larger farms or decentralized (off-grid) for small-scale power generation. The latter application can be used for rural electrification, which affects three-quarters of Yemen’s population but receives only a quarter of the country’s total power.

Why do Yemenis rely on diesel generators?

But a collapsing power grid—only 10 percent of Yemenis have access to central electricity—means that many farmers in Yemen’s arid hinterland rely on diesel generators to power wells. Along with belching out greenhouse gases, farmers say the generators are expensive to run.

Is solar power a lifeline in Yemen?

“For many in Yemen, especially for farmers, solar power has been a lifeline,” says Matt Leonard, who specializes in microfinance with IFC. “The key now is to scale up its use.” Yemen has long been the poorest country in the Middle East and North Africa, but a conflict that broke out in 2014 has pushed the country to the brink.

How much does a solar system cost in Yemen?

Rassam paid about 50 million Yemeni rials (around $90,000 based on the unofficial market exchange rate) for his system, which is considered large by local standards. The average cost of an array is around $10,000. Rassam financed the solar panels with a loan from Al Kuraimi Islamic Bank, one of the country’s largest private lenders.

What is the main energy source in Yemen?

According to the International Energy Agency, in 2000, oil made up 98.4% of the total primary energy supply in Yemen with the remainder comprising biofuels and waste (International Energy Agency). Natural gas and coal were introduced into the energy mix around 2008, and wind and solar energies were added around 2015.

Can solar power save Yemeni rials?

Farmer Mohamed Ahmad Sid El Rassam can attest to those benefits. He built a solar-powered water pump on his land in the region of Beni Hocheich. The setup chopped his diesel use by more than 85 percent, saving him 17 million Yemeni rials ($68,000) a year.