Cuba’s Fuel Crisis Turns the Island Into a Solar Test Case

AI Summary

Cuba's fuel shortage is accelerating a shift toward solar power, with U.S. exports of solar cells and modules to the island rising sharply despite the long-standing embargo. The article links the supply disruption to a U.S. naval blockade and says solar exports exceeded $6.3 million in the first seven months of the year.

Cuba is turning into a solar-powered island because of the U.S. naval blockade that is preventing fuel from reaching it. Imports of solar tech from that same U.S. are surging despite the decades-old U.S. embargo on Cuba, and strengthening the case for solar energy—in the absence of any alternatives. Bloomberg earlier this week cited U.S. Census data showing that exports of solar cells and modules from the U.S. to Cuba topped $6.3 million over the first seven months of the year. This is an annual increase of a whopping 1,070%, while solar…