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In the current Cuban landscape, another element is beginning to make a social difference: the ability to purchase and install solar panels.
In the midst of the energy crisis, where blackouts last for hours and electricity has become a scarce commodity, solar energy emerges as an alternative, but not everyone can access it.
According to the official newspaper Girón, Cuba needs to generate more than 3,600 megawatts to sustain its daily life, but demand greatly exceeds supply.
The Cuban government announced that before the end of 2025, 51 solar parks will be operational in the country, of which 32 are already synchronized with the National Electric System (SEN), as part of an emergency strategy to tackle the prolonged energy crisis.
However, cooking, washing, or keeping a refrigerator on are luxuries dependent on the capacity of the electrical system.
In that context, some families have found in solar panels a way to survive the blackouts, while the majority still depends on a collapsed grid.
The problem is that solar energy in Cuba is not accessible. The necessary equipment is imported and paid for in foreign currency.
A basic photovoltaic kit can cost more than a thousand dollars, an amount that is impossible for most households that survive on state salaries in Cuban pesos.
Thus, solar panels, which should represent progress and autonomy, have become a new symbol of inequality.
User Juan Carlos Subiaut Suárez highlighted that this year there has been growth in the installation of residential solar systems and hybrid off grid generators, driven by small and medium enterprises and shipping sites that import components from abroad.
However, he acknowledged that the phenomenon occurs on a small scale and is only possible for a minority with resources or support from abroad.
“Emergency energy technologies are neither cheap nor simple. There have already been reports of fires and explosions due to poor installations, as well as equipment with false data or insufficient protections,” he warned.
For her part, Adisbel Alfonso Pérez, another reader, reported that the Bank of Credit and Commerce (BANDEC) announced a credit program for the installation of solar systems on social media, but in practice, it does not exist.
"When you go to the BANDEC Business Center, no one knows how the process will be; they haven't been trained. It seems it was only to create expectations, another way to appease without achieving anything. Essentially, as the saying goes, it's 'smoke and mirrors'," he wrote.
The voices of citizens like Subiaut and Alfonso reflect an increasingly evident reality: access to renewable energy is marked by inequality and a lack of institutional transparency.
While the regime tries to sell the idea of an "energy transition," the reality is that solar energy is progressing unevenly, constrained by prices, bureaucracy, and lack of planning.
In today's Cuba, the sun shines on everyone, but its energy only illuminates a select few.
However, the Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel recently stated that the program for installing photovoltaic parks is ongoing and that thanks to these investments, the energy deficit has been “smaller.”
Frequently asked questions about the energy crisis and access to solar panels in Cuba
Why is it so difficult to access solar panels in Cuba?
Access to solar panels in Cuba is limited primarily due to their high cost and the requirement to pay for them in foreign currency. Most households in Cuba rely on state salaries in Cuban pesos, making the purchase of a basic photovoltaic kit, which can cost over a thousand dollars, unaffordable. Moreover, the infrastructure and market for solar energy are still under development, limiting the availability of these systems to a minority with resources or external support.
What is the impact of the energy crisis on the daily lives of Cubans?
The energy crisis in Cuba has led to prolonged blackouts, affecting the daily lives of millions of Cubans. The lack of electricity interrupts basic services, complicates food preservation, and limits the operation of businesses and daily activities, creating an atmosphere of widespread hopelessness and frustration. The situation is exacerbated by the national electric system's inability to meet demand due to outdated thermoelectric plants and a lack of sustained investment.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to tackle the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has bet on the accelerated installation of solar parks as its main strategy to tackle the energy crisis. However, this measure has not yet provided significant relief due to the technological, logistical, and financial limitations faced by the country. Furthermore, the lack of a stable regulatory framework hinders the attraction of the necessary private investment to modernize the national electrical system, which remains highly dependent on outdated and poorly maintained thermoelectric plants.
How does inequality affect access to solar energy in Cuba?
Economic inequality in Cuba is reflected in unequal access to solar energy, creating a new social divide. Only a minority with resources or foreign support can afford solar equipment, while the majority of the population continues to depend on a collapsed electrical system. This situation highlights the lack of inclusive policies and the regime's inability to provide equitable solutions to the energy crisis.
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