In this installment of our series on North Korea''s energy sector, we move away from official and commercial uses of solar and seek to understand the growing use of solar power for personal energy consumption in a country where its people still suffer from an unreliable power supply nationwide.
Data from recent interviews of North Korean defectors corroborate an astounding lack of state-provided electricity.[1] This shortage affects both urban and rural areas across the country, adversely impacting state-owned facilities, homes and even mobile phone connectivity, which has become ubiquitous in everyday life and the North''s private economy. While alternative forms of energy—such as diesel power and illegal power grid hook-ups—exist, for many, the answer is a solar panel.
Defector interviews, along with DPRK state media and satellite imagery, point to an uptick in personal solar installations over the last decade as many citizens have seemingly given up expecting the government to provide adequate and consistent electricity and are adopting a "do-it-yourself" attitude in order to live their lives.
A typical installation of solar panels is simple: a solar panel on a roof or balcony is connected via regulator to a large battery. During the day, electricity from the solar panel trickle charges the battery. At night, the power from the battery can be harnessed to either directly power low-voltage devices or is fed through an inverter to provide a 100-volt supply for household appliances.
Estimations on the size of the panels varied in our interviews, but most were around 60 square centimeters. According to interviewees, that was enough to provide at least 100 watts and run a small appliance each evening.
It has been more than a decade since the first personal solar panels entered the country from China. Availability and prices began improving following the 2012 Pyongyang International Trade Fair and got better in the last five years as domestic panels came on the market. A small solar panel can reportedly be bought for around $15-$50, making it an attractive alternative to costly generators and batteries.
The rise in domestic production of solar panels has likely played a role in bringing the price down. In 2017, a state media article indicated personal solar was being actively encouraged by the North Korean government, and TV coverage in 2018 showed domestic solar panel manufacturing at Kim Il Sung University.
Recent defector interviews offer a range of scenarios for how solar is currently being used. Some from more urban areas reported installing small panels to supplement state-provided electricity and power personal devices, while others from more rural regions discussed the necessity of personal solar panels due to extremely limited access to and inconsistent electricity supply.
Generally, access to electricity gets worse the farther someone is from Pyongyang and other major cities. In the more remote areas, solar panels are a must for government offices and facilities that require power to run throughout the day.
These communities utilize their close proximity to the border to initiate trade and private economic activity and have access to more hard currency to purchase and transport panels from China. Two defectors from Hyesan who left North Korea in 2019 suggested most of the solar panels in the city were from China, consistent with reports from around the same time.
In some cases, small solar-powered devices might also be used. Solar versions of the "Notel" (노텔) digital media player were available and directly charged an internal battery, so they didn''t require other power.
Several defectors from rural areas reported that the electricity supply was so minimal and inconsistent that they often only expected state-provided power on New Year''s Day and other national holidays, such as the birthday of North Korean leaders.
Even in Pyongyang, solar panels appear to be commonplace on buildings and dwellings to supplement electricity shortcomings. Such panels can be seen on satellite imagery because they tend to be larger. It is unclear if this is due to greater wealth in the capital allowing residents to buy larger panels, and thus generate more power, or if residents are working together to purchase panels.
The imagery signature is unique. Industrial panels on factories and institutions are neatly installed in large arrays, while personal panels tend to be more or less placed wherever there is room with little coordination.
In some places, the state appears to have wholly embraced the individual solar route—a tacit admission of systemic power shortfalls. For example, in 2015, when the state built new individual solar panels and solar water heaters were included on houses and small dwelling units at the Jangchon Vegetable Cooperative Farm on the edge of Pyongyang.
North Korean defectors who had left the country within the last five years stated they could only expect a few hours of electricity a day, and the power came and went with no notice making planning impossible and supplemental sources essential.
For those with money, one way to supplement their electricity supply was through an illegal power grid hook-up to the industrial electricity supply. With the right connections, tapping into the more reliable commercial lines to help keep factories running was also possible.
An insufficient and unstable power supply is one of the critical challenges North Korea struggles to address. While solar energy has provided one way for citizens to better cope with this reality, it is incapable of supplying enough power to satisfy everyday operations and needs.
Solar energy is also "most restricted to land," highlighting the necessity of alternative energy sources, such as hydropower, which we will explore in our next article.
About Australia solar power north korea
As the photovoltaic (PV) industry continues to evolve, advancements in Australia solar power north korea have become critical to optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources. From innovative battery technologies to intelligent energy management systems, these solutions are transforming the way we store and distribute solar-generated electricity.
When you're looking for the latest and most efficient Australia solar power north korea for your PV project, our website offers a comprehensive selection of cutting-edge products designed to meet your specific requirements. Whether you're a renewable energy developer, utility company, or commercial enterprise looking to reduce your carbon footprint, we have the solutions to help you harness the full potential of solar energy.
By interacting with our online customer service, you'll gain a deep understanding of the various Australia solar power north korea featured in our extensive catalog, such as high-efficiency storage batteries and intelligent energy management systems, and how they work together to provide a stable and reliable power supply for your PV projects.
Related Contents
