What is the future of solar energy in Palestine?

Solar energy can be a major contributor to the future Palestinian energy supply, with its high potential in the area. Palestine receives about 3,000 hours of sunshine per year and has an average solar radiation of 5.4 kWh/m. Domestic solar water heating (SWH) is widely used in Palestine where almost 70% of houses and apartments have such systems.

What is solar water heating in Palestine?

Palestine receives about 3,000 hours of sunshine per year and has an average solar radiation of 5.4 kWh/m. Domestic solar water heating (SWH) is widely used in Palestine where almost 70% of houses and apartments have such systems. Infact, Palestine is one of the leading countries in the field of SWH for domestic purpose.

How much PV power can be produced in Palestine?

In Palestine, the average values of specific PV power production from a reference system, described in Table 2, vary between 1700 and 1765 kWh/kWp for the selected three areas. A maximum value of energy that can be produced in Gaza and in the very southern region of the West Bank is higher than 1800 kWh/kWp.

How much do Palestinians spend on energy?

On average, households spend nearly 34 percent of their income on food and around 8.5 percent on energy (electricity and liquid gas). This reflects the vulnerability of Palestinians, especially the poor and marginal segments, and limits their ability to obtain the energy they need for daily use.

How can Palestine reduce its reliance on imported energy carriers?

Palestine can reduce reliance on imported energy carriers by deployment of clean energy systems, especially solar, geothermal and biomass. Palestinian areas has large alternative energy potential which can be harnessed by a futuristic energy policy, large-scale investments and strategic assistance from neighbouring countries like Jordan and Egypt.

Where is electricity supplied in Palestine?

Table 1: Sources of Electricity in Palestine Based on Yearly Consumption (PCBS 2019). The West Bank is mainly supplied by three 161/33 kV substations: one in the south close to Hebron; another one in the central West Bank, near the town of Salfeet, close to Nablus; and a third in the northern part of Jerusalem.