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By Eric Tegler
Gaza Strip is estimated to have 12,400 solar rooftop systems. This represents the largest density of solar rooftops in the entire world. They still produce a small amount of power despite damage.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies, CSIS (formerly the Center for Strategic and International Studies) has released a new report that details the importance of solar energy in Gaza during wartime. The report, based on an extensive study of satellite images of conflict zones and a detailed analysis of the commercial imagery, highlights both the resilience of solar systems and their vulnerability.
The report, co-authored by CSIS Middle East Program deputy director Will Todman and his colleagues Joseph Bermudez Jr., Jennifer Jun and Jennifer Todman concludes future combatants are likely to seek to limit their adversaries’ access to solar energy.
During this time, populations at risk will seek to increase their access to solar energy to survive conflicts. The war on energy will continue to be fought in the same way as always.
The analysis that we conducted indicates that Gaza has probably the largest rooftop solar density in the entire world. Todman clarifies that this does not mean it has the largest solar capacity. He notes that other locations, such as Honolulu in Hawaii, generate more electricity from solar sources via rooftop systems with a higher capacity.
Local people in Gaza, as well as those in Lebanon and Yemen have purchased small rooftop solar panels that are easy to obtain in order to compensate for the chronic lack of electricity provided by public grids. According to reports, in prewar Gaza the Gazans only had access to electricity for 6-8 hours per day.
CSIS reported that before the recent conflict half of Gaza’s electricity came from 10 Israeli powerlines. One diesel-powered power station in Gaza produced an extra quarter to one third of Gaza’s power with fuel bought from Israel, financed by Qatar. The remaining 25% of Gaza’s electricity was generated by private, informal solar power and other sources. Fuel for the plant came from Israel.
Solar power is viable in the area due to its 320 sunny days per annum. Israel has restricted the import of rooftop solar panels in the Gaza Strip, but many (perhaps most) were purchased through Israel.
Todman says that “Rooftop Systems] gave [Gazans] some resilience and autonomy. They were able to continue their daily lives while others in the area went into darkness.”
Hamas attacks on October 7th and subsequent war has changed this. CSIS reports that the rockets that Hamas launched at Israel in October 7 damaged some electrical lines supplying Gaza. Israel also cut Gaza’s electricity and diesel supply, causing the central power station to be shut down on October 11, as a result.
Unavoidably, the fighting also caused damage to solar systems in critical infrastructure. Satellite imagery Todman, his co-workers and Todman themselves reviewed showed damage to large scale solar infrastructure including the one powering an German-funded Gaza wastewater treatment plant. Todman warns, however, that claims Israel deliberately targeted rooftop solar panels are “very difficult”.
I don’t think Israel deliberately targeted the solar panels that are linked to Gaza infrastructure. The panels were hit by airstrikes or possibly as a result of a Hamas fighter being in the space between them. “It’s difficult to say for sure, but many of the biggest solar systems were destroyed.”
Solar panels are vulnerable because of their fragility and above-ground design (which is why they’re relatively inexpensive, easy to install, and can be connected to the grid quickly). They also make them susceptible to shrapnel, debris and other detritus that occur in urban warfare. Todman claims that there has been no proof of non-kinetic methods (electronic war, directed energy or spraying obscurants), which could disable small panels/arrays.
Media reports on Gaza’s lack of power and stories from non-governmental organizations about its situation have been echoed throughout the world, amplifying their meaning. Gazans are using solar energy to deal with conflict. The same systems are very likely to have helped the fighting continue.
Todman says, “Ultimately electricity will always be used for both military and civilian purposes.” There is no guarantee that the electricity is being used only for civilian and humanitarian purposes. It’s for this reason that I believe Israel will do its best to prove in the coming weeks, that some of these rooftop solar systems were used by Israel.
This will certainly apply to al-Shifa Hospital as well as other hospitals in Gaza. Al Jazeera reported in early November that Israeli attacks destroyed roof solar panels at al-Shifa, but the IDF denies targeting them.
As other electricity sources have been eliminated, the Hospital has likely relied heavily on its solar power system to provide it with energy during daylight hours. Todman, along with his co-workers, spent time and effort examining the solar system at al-Shifa Hospital and other hospitals.
To the best of my knowledge, [the panels] appeared to be physically intact on November 11, 2011. There is no clear proof that Israel targeted [the two main roof installations] at the time. The solar panels in the area of the Hospital have been damaged. “I’m not sure that all of those systems were powering the Hospital.
To function properly, solar power systems that are large enough to be used by institutions require a tiny amount of electricity to come from the Gaza grid. Off-grid smaller systems are able to provide limited energy for lighting or charging phones, but not enough power to run refrigeration and accessories.
In southern Gaza, and some places further north, they remain a fragile source of power. CSIS report notes that while they were able to slow the consumption of fuel, and other supplies in the first month of the War their impact is diminishing.
Uncertain is how much energy Hamas has and continues to get from rooftop solar, or how well it can combine solar power with other sources of power including fuel that it is said to have stored for their own use.
Todman contends that unlike the weapons-supply chain of Hamas, Iran appears not to have been involved in the proliferation in rooftop solar panels in Gaza.
I’ve never seen any evidence that Iran funded solar infrastructure in Gaza. Israel allows most of these solar systems to be imported and used for normal purposes.”
Solar power and the complementary nature of Gaza’s (lots of sun, flat roofs and ample sunlight) will be difficult to replicate in other situations. Such systems may offer some centers affected by conflict a degree of resilience. They cannot replace an electric grid or fossil-fuel power but they can provide a minimal level of function for short time periods.
Todman says that “Electricity crisis are usually deliberate.” There are those who will use the power grid to reward allies, or to prevent it from being used by adversaries. Elites profit from ongoing crises. Distributed systems, such as solar panels, are advantageous because international actors can use them earlier in conflict situations to supply a minimum amount of electricity.
In wartime, the benefits of systems can often fade. It is hard to predict how long the electricity trickle from Gaza rooftop solar panels will last.
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