Does North Korea need solar power?

North Korea is increasingly turning to solar power to help meet its energy needs, as the isolated regime seeks to reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels amid chronic power shortages.

Is solar energy making inroads in North Korea's Power Sector?

Solar energy is making inroads into North Korea’s power sector as residents are looking to install panels to have the lights on, at least partially, as the regime is failing to supply its citizens with electricity while prioritizing power to factories.

How many solar panels are there in North Korea?

The Korea Energy Economics Institute in Seoul estimates that 2.88mn solar panels, mostly small units used to power electronic devices and LED lamps, are now in use across North Korea, accounting for an estimated 7 per cent of household power demand.

Can solar power solve North Korea's energy problems?

Jeong-hyeon, a North Korean escapee, told the Financial Times that many residents in Hamhung, the second-most populous city, “relied on a solar panel, a battery and a power generator to light their houses and power their television”. But solar power is still only a partial solution to the country’s energy woes.

Are solar panels a real thing in North Korea?

Larger solar installations have also sprung up at factories and government buildings over the past decade. Jeong-hyeon, a North Korean escapee, told the Financial Times that many residents in Hamhung, the second-most populous city, “relied on a solar panel, a battery and a power generator to light their houses and power their television”.

How will solar power help North Korea's rural communities?

Solar panels and wind turbines are off-grid energy sources, meaning that their generated energy will be able to power nearby rural communities rather than large military and industrial sites. This will be especially helpful to improve the living standards of North Korea’s rural residents.