Indian Engineer Helps Rebuild Lebanon’s Solar Power Grid

Quick Summary

• Lebanon faces severe energy shortages, with the national grid providing power for onyl a few hours daily. Most rely on diesel generators.
• The cost of solar panels has substantially dropped, leading to a surge in private solar installations. Between 2020 and 2022, total installed capacity jumped nearly eightfold to over 870 MW.
• Mira Daher, head of tendering at Earth Technologies in Lebanon, plays a key role in designing and implementing solar power projects for residential, commercial, and advancement use.
• She began her career inspired by her father’s electrical engineering work and pursued studies specializing in renewable energy at Beirut Arab University and the American University of Beirut.
• Daher has managed various notable projects funded by organizations like the U.N., including solar-powered hospitals, water pumping systems for remote areas, and street lighting setups to boost local economies.
• The recent Israel-Hezbollah conflict caused disruption to renewable-energy initiatives due to funding challenges and site damage but operations are resuming post-conflict stabilization.

Read More: Spectrum IEEE

Indian Opinion Analysis

Mira Daher’s work reflects an important lesson for countries like India-renewable energy does not merely offer environmental benefits but becomes critical during crises when traditional grids falter due to economic or infrastructural issues. India’s ongoing exploration into decentralized renewable systems could benefit from Lebanon’s rapid adoption of off-grid installations amid adversity.

The surge driven by falling costs of technology mirrors India’s own efforts with increased affordability through domestic production incentives under schemes like PLI (Production Linked Incentive) programs in the solar sector.

Moreover, Daher’s focus on tailoring solutions based on site conditions aligns well with similar localized approaches seen across Indian states with diverse climatic regions-from rooftop projects near urban areas to larger-scale rural implementations involving water-pumping aid or street lighting efficiency improvements.

Financial uncertainty remains as one challenge that both nations face-a reminder that enduring funding mechanisms should always accompany renewables’ rollouts while balancing global geopolitical disruptions affecting manufacturing supply chains globally visible today.