Solar Is Becoming A Valued Global Solution To Fight Power Outages

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Hurricane Melissa wreaked havoc in many parts of Jamaica. It was a Category 5 storm, causing power outages across the island which are still ongoing two and a half weeks later. Persistent debris accumulation, damaged sanitation systems, and prolonged power and communications gaps continue to heighten the risk of water- and vector-borne disease outbreaks.

However, a small ray of optimism emerged from residents whose solar-powered homes had roofs intact when the storm ended. Unlike neighbors, they had electricity when the sun poured in the next day.

A New York Times exposé describes how a “small but vibrant market for rooftop solar panels in Jamaica” provides independence from pricey oil and gas, which must come from abroad to power for the nation’s polluting power plants. As the Jamaican islanders endure the long cleanup process, additional benefits of solar are clear. People with undamaged solar installations are charging their phones, sharing refrigerated foods and beverages, and offering shelter to those still without power.

Jason Robinson, owner of Solar Buzz, an installer based in Kingston, reported that none of his more than 300 customers suffered more than minor damage to their systems, which in the tropics are usually mounted close to the roof itself. Rooftop solar in Jamaica has leaped from less than 1.4 megawatts in 2015 to nearly 65 megawatts in 2023; solar and other forms of renewable energy made up about 10% of the island nation’s power generation in 2023.

Jamaica is not alone. Many countries, small and large, are looking to solar as well as other small scale renewables as a way to gain independence from an unreliable grid, power outages, or even to have access to electricity where none existed before.

Small Solar Access Can Go a Long Way

Distributed energy resources (DERs) refer to small-scale, local sources of energy, including energy storage. In terms of renewable energy, solar panels suit the tasks of DER well due to their ease of scalability and widespread siting opportunities. Microgrids, virtual power plants, small wind turbines, and distributed wind projects are examples of the DER model, which are becoming increasingly popular. These technologies often include demand response capability that reduces demand for non-essential items like hot water heaters, air conditioners, and EV chargers for a few minutes to a few hours.

Plug-in solar is gaining popularity for residents who, for whatever reason, can’t install rooftop solar. These small, self-installed solar systems plug directly into a household outlet and start offsetting power use instantly, and there’s no need to bring in a contractor, get a permit, or endure utility red tape. Experts say that, with just a handful of state-level reforms, plug-in solar could reach 60 million Americans by 2035 and slash household electricity costs. Oh, by the way, no federal or state subsidies would be needed. In Germany, individual panels sell for as low as €200, or about $217, at big box stores. More than 500,000 of the systems have already been set up across the nation.

As more and more people take steps to control their own access to electrical power, portable solar panels and solar power generators are becoming more widely available. Solar generators consist of three components: a solar array to collect energy, a battery to store it, and an inverter to convert stored power into usable AC electricity for lights, appliances, or electronics.

Examples of the Solar Embrace around the World

The Paris climate summit ten years ago sparked the growth of solar electricity in major emerging markets, notably China, India, and Brazil, helping turn solar from an outside energy source into the world’s fastest-growing source of electricity. During peak production months, solar can exceed output from most other clean energy sources and may have surpassed global wind output during this year’s northern hemisphere summer as compared to last year.

Indeed, when it comes to the share of electricity from solar and wind, the Global South is growing twice as fast as the Global North. Latin America, Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia need much more energy, and these countries need it as fast and as cheaply as possible. The Global South uses five times less energy per person than the Global North. As RMI notes, these countries are endowed with 70% of the world’s renewable energy potential. This renewable resource keeps getting cheaper and cheaper, outcompeting fossil fuels on price.

In terms of cumulatively installed solar power capacity in 2024, the best solar PV market in the world was the Netherlands, with Australia and Germany getting silver and bronze. Europe set new records for solar and wind power in the first quarter of 2025 — solar energy generation totaled 68 TWh, an increase of 32 percent from Q1 in 2024.

Pakistan imported 17 GW of solar PV and an estimated 1.25 GWh of lithium-ion battery packs in 2024. The expectations are that by 2030, battery imports could increase to 8.75 GWh, which would be enough to meet over a quarter of peak demand. Solar by day, storage by night would become the new norm for the country. The surge in solar and batteries is not only driving down energy costs, enhancing reliability, reducing dependence on imported fuels, and contributing to the country’s energy sovereignty.

Thailand’s Ministry of Energy says it is advancing a community solar plan to add up to 1.5 GW of capacity through small ground-mounted projects selling power to local consumers at THB 2.25 ($0.07)/kWh under long-term contracts. As PV Magazine outlines, the program is set to cover ground-mounted solar farms less than 10 MW in size, subject to grid space in each area. A total of 1.5 GW of capacity is being made available nationwide, limited to one solar farm per connection point.

Final Thoughts about Solar for Power Outages and More

Solar’s potential allows for a wide range of applications and is capturing the imaginations of many people and organizations. Investing in solar backup power keeps critical systems online during grid power outages — a solar+battery system can provide green energy during normal times and deliver needed backup power as needed.

Nova Southeastern University has announced that it is the first university in the US to bring a commercial-level floating solar system into its energy portfolio. Construction is currently underway and the system should be up and running before year’s end.

Airports are increasingly powered at least in part by solar installations. Cochin International Airport in India became the world’s first fully solar-powered airport, generating about 40 MW annually through rooftop and ground-mounted systems. Denver International Airport operates over 10 MW of solar farms, covering nearly 6% of its energy needs. George Airport in South Africa uses solar power to meet over 40% of its electricity demand, showcasing the success of such integration even in medium-sized facilities.