Does North Korea still use solar power?

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.

How many solar panels are there in North Korea?

The Korea Energy Economics Institute in Seoul estimates that 2.88mn solar panels, mostly small units used to power electronic devices and LED lamps, are now in use across North Korea, accounting for an estimated 7 per cent of household power demand.

How much do solar panels cost in North Korea?

This has allowed many North Koreans to install small solar panels costing as little as $15-$50, bypassing the state electricity grid that routinely leaves them without reliable power for months. Larger solar installations have also sprung up at factories and government buildings over the past decade.

Are Hyundai solar panels a good investment in Korea?

As a long established international brand, Hyundai Solar panels have been installed within Korea for over 10 years. By purchasing panels from a trusted and well known consumer brand, you’re making a safer investment for the long term. Hyundai Energy Solutions have a leading 25 year product warranty in Korea.

Are North Korea's solar 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.

Where are solar water heaters located in Pyongyang?

Large solar water heaters on top of an apartment building and smaller individual solar electricity panels on the balconies of the same building at the Jangchon Vegetable Cooperative Farm in Pyongyang, as seen on KCTV on April 13, 2022. (Source: Korean Central Television)