As power outages lasting over 12 to 16 hours plague multiple provinces, the Cuban government is pushing photovoltaic modules as a potential solution to the country's energy crisis. However, the steep cost of these systems—exceeding 75,000 Cuban pesos—underscores a harsh reality.
According to a Facebook post by the Cuban Electric Union, the 800-watt module being distributed to Homes of Heroes and Heroines of Labor is priced at 75,200 Cuban pesos (CUP). This package comprises a solar panel, six meters of cable, connectors, and a battery capable of delivering 1,200 watts, enough to power essential household appliances like a refrigerator, a rice cooker, or a television.
This amount represents more than 20 months' salary for an average state employee in Cuba. For most families, whose monthly income barely covers food expenses, amassing such a sum is nearly impossible without external financial support.
Authorities highlight that payment can be made in cash or via card, with "family assistance" also being an option. In practice, this family help often translates into remittances sent from relatives abroad, a recurring lifeline for Cuban households.
Official statistics indicate that the program aims to equip over 10,000 workers with compact solar energy systems. Of the 208 recognized Heroes of Labor in the nation, more than 130 modules have already been installed.
Simultaneously, the government has announced tariff exemptions for the importation of panels, batteries, and inverters, along with tax incentives lasting up to eight years for those investing in renewable energy sources. Additionally, the possibility for electricity generators to sell power to third parties has been introduced.
The Cost of Light: A Right or a Privilege?
In theory, these initiatives are designed to encourage decentralized energy production amid a backdrop of fuel shortages and a collapsing electrical grid. In reality, access to electricity is beginning to create a divide among Cubans—those who can afford energy independence and those who remain reliant on an unstable system.
In a nation where food spoils due to lack of refrigeration and water pumping is disrupted by power cuts, access to a solar panel shifts from being a technological luxury to a basic necessity.
Yet, when this necessity bears a price tag of over 75,000 pesos, it begs the question many are asking both inside and outside the island: How many Cubans can truly afford their own light amid the national darkness?
FAQs on Cuba's Solar Panel Program
How much do the solar panel kits cost in Cuba?
The solar panel kits being sold by the Cuban government are priced at 75,200 Cuban pesos, which is a significant amount compared to the average monthly salary of a state worker.
Who is eligible to purchase these solar panel kits?
The solar panel kits are primarily being installed in homes of recognized Heroes and Heroines of Labor in Cuba, as part of a government initiative.
What is included in the solar panel kit?
Each kit includes an 800-watt solar panel, six meters of cable, connectors, and a battery with a 1,200-watt output, suitable for powering basic household appliances.