CIMEX has introduced a 12-inch Daytron C108 solar fan priced at $41.20 via their online platform, Puerto Envío, presenting it as a remedy to Cuba's ongoing energy crisis.
The announcement, featured on the official Facebook page of the state-run corporation, capitalizes on the persistent blackouts, which the regime has failed to resolve, using slogans like "No more blackouts!" and "Energy crisis: we have the solution."
This product comes with a solar panel, two LED bulbs, and a USB port for charging devices. It is available for purchase worldwide on envioscuba.com, allowing families in Cuba to receive it at their doorstep in Havana, Matanzas, Artemisa, and Mayabeque, or pick it up at the Avenida del Puerto store in Old Havana.
However, the price is prohibitively expensive for the vast majority of Cubans living on the island.
Data from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI), released in April 2026, indicates that the average monthly salary in Cuba in 2025 was 6,930 Cuban pesos, equivalent to just about $13 to $15 on the informal exchange market.
This means that the fan costs nearly three months' salary for an average Cuban worker.
In reality, the product is designed for purchase by the Cuban diaspora abroad, who can send it to their relatives on the island, a business model aimed at attracting foreign currency.
The offering comes at a particularly dire moment in Cuba's energy crisis: on May 13, the electrical deficit hit a record of 2,153 MW, affecting 65% of the national territory simultaneously.
On May 17, the Electric Union reported only 1,070 MW of availability against a demand of 2,545 MW, with Havana experiencing blackouts exceeding 19 hours daily throughout May.
The fact that the Cuban state, responsible for the collapse of the electrical system, profits by selling solutions at unattainable prices for most has not gone unnoticed among internet users.
Comments on CIMEX’s Facebook post blend dark humor, criticism of the price, and skepticism about the product's quality.
One user bluntly labeled the fans as "very bad."
Another mocked the slogan with a string of laughing emojis: "Tremendous propaganda. No more blackouts!"
A third person questioned the price, claiming the same product is available elsewhere for $35: "How many do you want at 35 USD? Haha, you sell them very expensively."
A fourth user shared her direct experience with the product: "That fan only lasted me 48 hours."
Cuba's electrical crisis has been worsening since 2025: in December of that year, blackouts of over 20 hours daily and deficits exceeding 2,000 MW were recorded, without the regime providing any structural solutions to the problem.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis and Available Solutions
Why is the Daytron C108 fan considered expensive for Cubans?
The Daytron C108 fan costs $41.20, which translates to nearly three months' salary for an average Cuban worker, making it largely unaffordable for most residents on the island.
What features does the Daytron C108 fan offer?
The Daytron C108 fan comes with a solar panel, two LED bulbs, and a USB port for charging devices, marketed as a solution to the ongoing energy issues in Cuba.
How has the Cuban energy crisis affected the population?
The energy crisis has led to severe blackouts, with some areas experiencing over 20 hours of outages daily, severely impacting daily life and economic activities.