In the Virginia neighborhood of Santa Clara, residents celebrated the opening of the province's first "solinera" on Sunday. This solar-powered station, completely independent from the National Electric System (SEN), offers the community a place to cook and charge devices.
According to the provincial radio station CMHW, the Local Development Project (PDL) Gomate spearheaded the initiative. Julio Ernesto Gomate Morales, the project's director, emphasized the quick turnaround of the construction. "We opened this solinera with great effort and dedication in record time, as it took just nine days to build and assemble from scratch," Gomate stated.
The Innovative "Solinera" Concept
The term "solinera" is a Cuban neologism blending "solar" and "gas station" to describe a photovoltaic-based energy service station. The facility was constructed by Eléctrica Total, a private company from Ranchuelo. Reinaldo Andino González, the company's co-founder, explained that the station is equipped with 30 kilowatts of power and 60 kilowatts of battery storage, thanks to 56 solar panels, ensuring complete autonomy even during hurricanes and extended power outages.
The solinera can simultaneously accommodate six vehicles and features 26 dual outlets capable of powering 52 cooking devices. While food preparation services are free for the community, charging fees for electric vehicles like mopeds and tricycles are still under consideration. Gomate Morales assured that these fees would remain as low as possible to maintain the project's sustainability.
Community Benefits Amid Energy Challenges
Zoraima Escobar Poveda, president of the Virginia neighborhood council, described the solinera as "a strength for the community," highlighting its potential to alleviate the frequent and prolonged power outages in the area.
This initiative comes at a time when Cuba is facing its most severe energy crisis in decades, causing blackouts lasting over 20 hours in various provinces. In March, the SEN experienced two complete collapses, the seventh and eighth in just 18 months.
The crisis worsened after Venezuela halted crude shipments in January 2026, and Mexican oil exports were cut off due to sanctions from the Trump administration. In response, decentralized solutions have emerged, such as solar-powered tricycles in Havana and charging outlets at a solar park in Isla de la Juventud.
Local resident Miguel Ángel García Marimón expressed cautious optimism about the project. "It's important to have a place to charge phones or cook when there's no power, but much more is needed to solve the neighborhood's energy problem. Hopefully, this is just the start of many similar projects, as the need is great and outages remain a widespread nuisance," he remarked.
Key Insights on Cuba's Solar Energy Solutions
What is a "solinera" in Cuba?
A "solinera" is a Cuban term for a solar-powered energy station that combines the concepts of "solar" and "gas station." It provides a space for cooking and charging devices independently from the National Electric System.
How does the Santa Clara solinera operate?
The Santa Clara solinera operates with 30 kilowatts of power and 60 kilowatts of battery storage, thanks to 56 solar panels. It can function independently during emergencies and power outages.
What are the benefits of the solinera for the community?
The solinera provides free food preparation services and an affordable charging solution for electric vehicles, helping the community manage the frequent and lengthy power outages in the region.