Individual Solar Installations Surge in Cuba Amid Blackouts
Across Cuba, a familiar struggle has intensified. As the sun sets, uncertainty rises over whether the lights will stay on. Persistent and severe blackouts have become a part of daily life, crippling routines and frustrating a population already facing significant economic challenges. In the face of this deepening energy crisis, however, a new light is emerging—powered by the sun and driven by individual ingenuity. Cubans are increasingly turning to personal solar panel installations, creating a grassroots solution to a nationwide problem.
The Roots of the Power Crisis
The current wave of blackouts stems from a critical energy deficit. According to recent reports, Cuba’s daily electricity demand often exceeds 3,000 megawatts, yet during peak hours, the island’s aging power grid can sometimes only supply about half of that. This shortfall plunges homes, businesses, and entire neighborhoods into darkness for hours on end.
This crisis is fueled by a confluence of factors, notably disruptions in crucial oil shipments from Venezuela and the ongoing pressure of U.S. policies. As the long-term repercussions of these challenges begin to bite, Cubans are not waiting for a top-down solution. Instead, they are taking power—quite literally—into their own hands.
A Citizen-Led Surge in Solar
The response to the blackouts has been a remarkable surge in the adoption of individual solar energy systems. This trend is exemplified by entrepreneurs like Ángel Eduardo, an automation control engineering student who grew tired of trying to study in the dark. In September, he launched his own solar installation business, “Con Voltage.”
Frustrated by the constant power cuts, Eduardo taught himself the necessary skills with help from a friend, online resources, and even AI tools like ChatGPT. He started small, with basic setups capable of powering a single light bulb. But as word spread, his business took off. Since November, Eduardo has completed dozens of installations across the island, averaging one to two projects per day. He notes a significant spike in inquiries from residents in Havana, particularly after the news of Venezuelan oil disruptions became widespread.
This proactive, decentralized approach highlights a powerful shift. Instead of relying on a fragile national grid, a growing number of Cubans are investing in energy independence, one solar panel at a time.
A Broader Strategy for Survival
The move toward solar is part of a larger pattern of resilience and self-reliance unfolding across Cuba. Faced with shortages and uncertainty, citizens are adopting a variety of strategies to survive and maintain a sense of normalcy.
In addition to harnessing solar power, some are turning to urban and rural farming to secure their food supply, while others have reverted to using firewood for cooking. The strain of urban blackouts has even prompted some, like Jose Ángel Méndez Faviel, to relocate to rural areas in search of a more stable existence. These adaptive measures, born of necessity, paint a picture of a populace determined to navigate hardship through resourcefulness.
As Cuba confronts its complex energy future, the rise of individual solar installations offers more than just a temporary fix. It signals a potential path toward a more resilient and decentralized energy model, built not by government decree, but by the will and ingenuity of its people.
