Sulaymaniyah mosque installs solar panels in shift towards renewable energy

SULAYMANIYAH — Sulaymaniyah governorate is witnessing a shift towards renewable energy, with multiple sectors, including religious institutions, education, and residential areas, adopting solar power solutions.

The Grand Mosque of Mawat, a located in northeastern Sulaymaniyah, has installed a solar power system, marking the first mosque in the governorate to utilize solar energy. The installation, funded by a private benefactor, includes ten solar panels, which aim to ensure a continuous electricity supply.

Sirwan Mohammed, spokesperson for the Sulaymaniyah Electricity Directorate, told 964media that the move is part of a broader initiative by the General Directorate of Electricity in Sulaymaniyah to promote solar energy, in addition to offering discounts on electric bills to encourage more installations.

Furthering the renewable energy efforts,UNICEF has installed solar panels on Kanaroy Primary School in the Sharbazher district of Sulaymaniyah, as part of a broader initiative to equip eight schools with solar power. The project, which cost $8,000, aims to alleviate power shortages that have previously disrupted educational activities.

In 2023, 188 homes and facilities throughout Sulaymaniyah adopted solar systems, reflecting a growing trend in the region. The local electricity authority has noted an uptick in requests for solar installations, indicating a robust interest in sustainable energy solutions.

Erbil’s Mergasor district has also initiated a solar power project targeting several villages, providing a reliable power source in areas previously dependent on generator-based electricity. And in Halabja, the Halabja Industrial Preparatory School and Martyr Abdul Rahman Preparatory School have both successfully installed solar panels, becoming self-sufficient in their electricity generation.