As of 2023, Lebanon has installed solar power capacity, with a total of 1005 MW.⁵

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• The Lebanese government has set an ambitious target to generate 30% of its energy consumption from renewable sources, including solar, by 2030.
• To achieve this, Lebanon plans to expand its renewable energy installations to over 5,000 MW by 2030, with a primary focus on large-scale solar photovoltaic projects

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Solar Energy

• The current cost of an off-grid solar energy system in Lebanon is $0.049/kWh, with projections suggesting a decline to $0.045/kWh by 2030.

Heavy Fuel Production

• Current electricity generation from heavy fuel costs around 18 to 20 cents per kWh.

Gas Plants (Planned)

• Estimated cost of electricity generation from future gas plants is 9 to 10 cents per kWh.

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• In Lebanon, the average daily availability of electricity from the national grid is highly variable due to frequent power outages and brownouts.
• On average, Lebanese citizens have access to electricity for about 12 to 16 hours a day, depending on the region. However, this can fluctuate significantly, with some areas experiencing as little as 3 hours of electricity per day, while others may receive power for up to 20 hours, especially in regions with better infrastructure.

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Current installations

El Khoury estimates that approximately 50,000 households in Lebanon are now equipped with rooftop solar systems, which represents about 4% of the country’s 1.3 million households.

Projected installations

Lebanon aims to generate 30% of its electricity and heat from renewable energy sources by 2030, with a significant portion attributed to residential and commercial rooftop installations

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Current Solar Farms

Lebanon has signed contracts for the construction of 11 solar farms.

Future Target

Exact number is not available but;

• Lebanon is aiming to generate 30% of its total energy demand from renewable sources by 2030.

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Current Off-Grid Solar Demand in Lebanon:

• Lebanon’s energy sector faces challenges like political instability, economic issues, and infrastructure problems, leading to frequent power outages. Many households and businesses are turning to off-grid solar solutions, especially in rural areas.
• By the end of 2020, Lebanon had installed 89.84 MW of solar capacity, with many off-grid systems installed by citizens and businesses. By 2022, this capacity reached around 870 MW.
• The high cost of solar installations and the devaluation of the Lebanese pound make it hard for many to afford solar systems. However, operational savings and more stable power supply are driving increased adoption.

Future Off-Grid Solar Demand in Lebanon:

• The government aims to achieve 30% renewable energy by 2030, mainly from solar energy, which is expected to boost off-grid solar demand.
• The off-grid solar market is projected to grow between 2023 and 2029, driven by demand from residential, commercial, and industrial users seeking reliable and cost-effective energy solutions.
• As Lebanon’s economy recovers, there could be increased investment in renewable energy and improved financing options, making solar energy more affordable for more people.
• Technological advancements in solar and energy storage will make off-grid systems more efficient and affordable, increasing their attractiveness.
• International partnerships and funding from organizations like the World Bank and UNDP will provide the support needed to scale up solar initiatives and meet Lebanon’s renewable energy goals.

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Current On-Grid Solar Demand in Lebanon:

• Lebanon’s on-grid solar demand is rising as the country seeks to diversify its energy mix and reduce reliance on traditional fossil fuels.
• The ongoing electricity crisis has increased interest in renewable energy solutions, particularly solar power, as a way to address unreliable electricity supply.
• By 2023, Lebanon’s total installed solar PV capacity reached 1,005 MW, with much of this coming from distributed generation systems installed by citizens and businesses.
• Lebanon’s solar sector has expanded rapidly since 2020, especially with off-grid solar and battery installations in homes and businesses to mitigate power shortages.
• The Lebanese government has set a target to source 30% of electricity from renewable energy by 2030, focusing on integrating large-scale solar projects into the national grid.
• Notable projects include the 8 MW solar plant near the Beirut River, which will supply power to Electricité du Liban and is currently open for bids (due by October 23, 2024).
• The success of the Baabdat microgrid project, which integrates solar power into the grid, has set a precedent for future solar initiatives, with plans to expand to power the entire village.
• Challenges remain, such as investment needs, political instability, and the need for grid infrastructure modernization to handle renewable energy inputs efficiently.

Future On-Grid Solar Demand in Lebanon:

• Future demand for on-grid solar in Lebanon is expected to grow significantly as the country works toward its renewable energy targets and energy independence.
• The government’s renewable energy strategy, including large-scale solar projects and grid modernization, aims to meet the goal of sourcing 30% of electricity from renewables by 2030.
• Expansion of solar energy will be supported by both government projects and private-sector investments, driving the continued growth of the sector.
• The Lebanese government is emphasizing the development of solar infrastructure and community-scale solar solutions, such as the Baabdat microgrid, which has become a model for integrating solar into the grid.
• International partnerships and investments, including those from organizations like the World Bank and IRENA, are expected to support large-scale renewable energy projects and help address financial barriers.
• The increasing affordability of solar technology will make on-grid solar installations more accessible, encouraging both public and private entities to invest in solar projects.
• The future of solar energy integration will also depend on the development of energy storage systems to address challenges related to supply during low sunlight periods or peak demand.
• Lebanon’s future demand will be influenced by stronger policies and incentives to encourage private sector investment, addressing financial barriers and accelerating solar adoption across the country.

A Solar Photovoltaic Installer working in Lebanon will typically earn around $1,053.41 USD per year, with the salary ranging from the lowest average of $527.58 USD to the highest average of $1,631.43 USD.¹⁸

The current population of Lebanon is 5,832,296.¹⁹

Estimate for Factory Rent

Monthly Average Warehouse Rental Cost ²⁰

• Highest Rent: A 330 square meter warehouse in Mazraat Yachouh, Metn is listed for $3,750 USD per month.
• Lowest Rent: A 210 square meter warehouse in Fouar Antelias is listed for $500 USD per month.

Key Components of Administrative Costs

Salaries and Wages: ¹⁸

A Solar Photovoltaic Installer working in Lebanon will typically earn around $1,053.41 USD per year, with the salary ranging from the lowest average of $527.58 USD to the highest average of $1,631.43 USD.

Commercial electricity ³

The electricity price for businesses is USD 0.247.

Monthly Rents for Office Space ²¹

• Highest Rent: A private office in the Souks location is available for $425 USD per month.
• Lowest Rent: A private office in the Azarieh Building is available for $215 USD per month.

Electricity Generation ²²

• Lebanon’s electricity generation in 2022 was primarily derived from oil, with contributions from hydro.
• Despite a growing share of renewable energy sources like solar, oil remains the dominant fuel for electricity production, contributing to the country’s CO2 emissions.
• The total electricity production in Lebanon reached 4,333 GWh in 2022, with limited electricity imports.

Transmission & Distribution ²³

• In Lebanon, electricity transmission is mainly handled by “Électricité du Liban” (EDL), which operates a network of high-voltage power lines ranging from 66kV to 400kV.
• EDL uses key substations to step down the power from high voltage to medium voltage for distribution.
• The network spans over 1,500 km and includes both overhead lines and underground cables throughout the country.

Energy Access ²⁴

• Available data indicates that Lebanon has nearly universal access to electricity, with nearly 100% of the population connected.
• However, the country struggles with frequent power outages and heavily depends on costly private generators to compensate for the unreliable electricity supply from the state.

Energy Exports ²⁵

• In 2022, Lebanon exported $9.72k worth of Crude Petroleum, ranking as the 115th largest exporter of Crude Petroleum globally.
• In 2022, Crude Petroleum was the 860th most exported product from Lebanon, with Liberia being the primary destination for these exports.

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Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) Law (2023):

• Ratified on December 14, 2023 (Law No. 318/2023).
• Promotes decentralized renewable energy production, including net metering and peer-to-peer trading of renewable energy.
• Allows peer-to-peer energy trading between private sector entities, with a maximum capacity of 10 MW per project.
• For projects located in the same or adjacent plots, energy can be traded without using the national grid. If the projects are located further apart, trading requires the use of the grid (through wheeling).
• Introduces various forms of net metering, such as individual, multiple-tenants, and collective net metering.
• Enables greater flexibility and incentivizes renewable energy adoption across various sectors and communities.

Decree 6887 (2020):

• Makes national standards for solar energy and photovoltaic systems mandatory.
• Requires verification of these standards by accredited labs, like the Industrial Research Institute (IRI).
• Includes mandatory standards for solar water heating technologies and updates outdated standards initially adopted in 2003.
• Aims to eliminate technological barriers and improve the solar market development in Lebanon.

Net Metering Regulations:

• Net metering allows customers with solar systems to send excess electricity back to the grid in exchange for credits.
• The practice of net metering has been legalized for the first time under the DRE law.
• Net metering, which was previously authorized on a yearly basis, is now enshrined in law to provide long-term certainty for solar energy producers.

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1. National Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Action (NEEREA): Launched in 2010 by the Central Bank of Lebanon (Banque du Liban), NEEREA offers subsidized loans for environmentally friendly projects, including solar energy installations. These loans can reach up to $20 million with favorable terms. However, following the 2019 economic collapse, NEEREA’s funding has been significantly limited, affecting its capacity to support new projects.
2. Solar Water Heater Subsidy Program: Managed by the Lebanese Center for Energy Conservation (LCEC), this program provides subsidies for the installation of solar water heaters. The initiative aims to reduce electricity consumption and promote renewable energy use in residential and commercial sectors.
3. U.S. Energy Fund: In 2023, U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea announced a $20 million Solar & Renewable Energy Fund to assist Lebanese entities in financing renewable energy solutions. This fund is intended to support the adoption of solar energy technologies across various sectors in Lebanon.
4. Beirut River Solar Snake (BRSS): Initiated by the Ministry of Energy and Water in 2013, BRSS is Lebanon’s first pilot project to produce electricity from solar energy. The project aims to install solar panels along the Beirut River, with an initial phase of 1 MW capacity, to generate and supply clean energy to the national grid.
5. Net Metering Policy: Lebanon has implemented a net metering policy that allows consumers with solar systems to send excess electricity back to the grid in exchange for credits. This policy encourages the adoption of solar energy by making it more financially attractive for consumers.
6. International Support and Derisking Measures: International organizations have supported Lebanon’s renewable energy sector through various initiatives. For instance, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has provided support to derisk renewable energy investments, aiming to lower financing costs and attract private sector investments in solar and wind energy projects.

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Current Operational Projects

Beirut River Solar Snake (BRSS) Expansion

Location: Near the Beirut River, Lebanon

Capacity: 8 MW

Launching Date: Tender opened on September 13, 2024.

Other Details:

• The project will be publicly funded.
• It will be connected to the medium-voltage grid to supply power to Electricité du Liban.
• The tender for the project has been opened, with developers required to submit bids by October 23, 2024.
• This expansion is part of Lebanon’s broader efforts to increase solar energy capacity in the country.

Solar PV Farms – 180 MW

Location: Distributed across four main Lebanese regions: North, South, Mount Lebano, Bekaa

Capacity: 180 MW (divided across 12 PV farms, with equal distribution among the regions)

Other Details:

• The project aims to add 180 MW of solar capacity across four Lebanese regions (North, South, Mount Lebanon, and Bekaa).
• Initiated with an Expression of Interest (EOI) in 2017, followed by a Request for Proposals (RFP).
• 11 bidders were selected after technical and financial evaluations, agreeing to tariffs of 5.7 US cents/kWh (Bekaa) and 6.27 US cents/kWh (other regions) for 25 years.
• Licenses were granted by the Council of Ministers on May 12, 2022.
• Licensees have 1 year to sign a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), 1 year for financial closure, and 1 year to reach commercial operation.

Future Projects

Lebanon Solar Project

Location: North Annville Township, Pennsylvania, Lebanon County.

Capacity: The Lebanon Solar Project has a planned capacity of 50 MW.

Status: In development.

Other Details:

• Project is by Enel Green Power. It emphasizes collaboration with local residents, skilled tradespeople, and landowners, aiming to bring economic benefits and renewable energy solutions to the community.
• Project Focus is Solar energy, with a multi-million-dollar investment to increase tax revenue for local schools and public services, and create jobs.

Company Name: A Team

Location: Lebanon

Website: https://www.ateamlb.com/

Products and Services:

• Kingston Ups Systems (USA)
• Infosec Ups (France)
• Unikor Batteries (Korea)
• HITEC – Power Protection

Services:

• Power protection and backup systems
• UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) systems
• Batteries for power backup systems
• Quality support services

Company Name: Arina Energy

Locations:

• Lebanon (KORE Central, Jabra Building, Charles Helou Street, Horsh Tabet)

Website: www.arinaenergy.com

Products and Services:

• Solar Energy Systems: Development and planning of solar systems for industrial and residential projects.
• Energy Storage Solutions: Providing sustainable energy storage systems.
• Electric Powered Projects: Planning and development for electric-powered infrastructure.
• Energy Efficiency Management Systems: Solutions for improving energy efficiency in various systems.
• Electric Vehicle Chargers: Providing EV charging infrastructure.
• Wind Systems: Wind energy solutions.
• Energy Management System (Arina-EMS): System to manage and optimize energy usage.

Services:

• Operation and Maintenance: Ongoing support for solar and energy systems.

Company Name: Apex Energy

Location: Lebanon

Website: www.apexenergy.pro

Products and Services:

• Solar Energy: Design, supply, and installation of on-grid solar systems for residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and utility sectors.
• Panel Building: Custom electrical panel building to meet specific requirements.
• Water Treatment: Full range of water treatment solutions in partnership with Hong Jun Water Treatment Company in China.
• Automation: Complete automation solutions for machines and plants.