A baker is adding a little more sunshine to his Palestinian pastries, by harnessing the power of solar energy.
Ehab Al Misi, who runs a bakery and dessert shop in Al-Bireh, next to the West Bank capital of Ramallah, currently powers 23 machines using solar power, Gaza Online reported. He says the main inspiration for turning to solar was the rising cost of electricity in Palestine – in the past his bill amounted to some 8500 NIS ($2,250) each month, but that’s now been reduced to less than half.
An engineering graduate, Ehab started off by building 98 solar panels in the roof of his home, generating 140 kilowatts of electricity daily. That’s about 100 NIS ($26 USD) every day. Although the project cost him 130,000 NIS when he installed it Ehab says he’s already been able to save 100,000 NIS from the system, which has a lifespan of 20 years.
Although most Palestinians living in the West Bank already use solar power to heat water, Ehab’s success has compelled many others to seek alternative or renewable ways of sourcing energy. Some hope the innovation might have the power to lessen the economic hardship of Palestinians and their dependence on Israeli companies, which often provide much of the energy to Palestinian cities.
