In a telling scene captured on video by Claudio Pelaez Sordo, an electric tricycle driver in Havana installed a 650W solar panel to charge his battery independently from the unreliable power grid. This snapshot epitomizes the reality of Cuba in April 2026: people improvising to survive.
On Facebook, the driver explained that his BlueZone-brand panel takes about eight hours to fully charge a 60V battery, giving the vehicle a range of 80 to 100 kilometers—enough to work for several days.
The motivation for this installation has nothing to do with technological innovation or environmental awareness; it is driven purely by necessity.
The driver candidly explained his situation: "Yesterday they gave me power for just about 12 hours, only during the early morning. And by 6 a.m., it was gone."
With the inability to charge his battery through the conventional grid, the solar panel shifted from being a luxury to the sole option for keeping his livelihood afloat.
This Thursday, for instance, power outages in Havana are stretching up to 22 hours daily, with a national power generation shortfall exceeding 1,700 MW against a demand of 3,100 MW.
The electrical crisis reached its peak on March 16, when the National Electric System completely collapsed for nearly 30 hours, leaving over nine million people without electricity. Another total collapse occurred on March 22.
The energy catastrophe is rooted in a series of factors that have compounded over a few weeks: Cuba requires about 110,000 barrels of oil daily but only produces 40,000 domestically.
Venezuela halted its supply of 27,000 to 30,000 barrels per day following the arrest of Nicolás Maduro on January 3.
Mexico ceased its exports—which accounted for 44% of Cuban imports—on January 9, due to pressure from Trump administration sanctions.
The impact is visible across the streets: public transportation is nearly at a standstill, gasoline costs over six dollars per liter on the black market, and tricycles equipped with solar panels are becoming a common sight in Havana.
This is not an isolated trend. At the end of March, a viral TikTok video showcased an electric pedicab with an integrated solar panel, charging as it moves.
In Matanzas, mechanics unveiled a prototype of a handmade electric vehicle with a 2,000W motor.
In Mayabeque, a mechanic adapted a 1980 Fiat Polski to run on charcoal through gasification.
However, owning a solar panel is not within everyone's reach. On the informal market, they cost between 990 and 1,000 dollars, equivalent to more than two years of the average Cuban salary, according to a report by 14ymedio.
Only those with access to foreign currency can afford it, making solar energy a new symbol of inequality on the island.
Understanding Solar Energy Solutions in Cuba
Why are solar panels becoming popular in Cuba?
Solar panels are gaining popularity in Cuba due to frequent power outages and a severe energy crisis, making them a necessary alternative for many to maintain their daily activities.
What caused the energy crisis in Cuba?
Cuba's energy crisis stems from a combination of insufficient domestic oil production, the suspension of oil shipments from Venezuela and Mexico, and external pressures such as U.S. sanctions.
How expensive are solar panels in Cuba?
On the informal market, solar panels in Cuba cost between 990 and 1,000 dollars, which is more than two years' worth of the average Cuban salary, making them accessible mainly to those with foreign currency.