Solar installations rise 20% in Sulaymaniyah with households driving growth

SULAYMANIYAH — Solar power installations in Sulaymaniyah governorate have increased by about 20% in just over two months, according to new figures released by the Sulaymaniyah General Electricity Directorate.

Data from the directorate’s Renewable Energy Department show that as of March 8, 2026, a total of 3,110 electricity subscribers have installed solar power systems, producing about 84 megawatts of electricity.

The installations include 2,562 residential systems, 443 commercial systems, 15 industrial projects, 85 agricultural systems and five government installations.

Earlier figures from Jan. 4, 2026 showed 2,590 registered solar subscribers producing 76.39 megawatts of electricity. The latest data therefore reflect roughly a 20% increase in installations and about a 10% rise in production capacity.

Officials say residents across Sulaymaniyah are increasingly turning to solar energy systems as an alternative source of electricity.

Authorities have also linked the rise in solar adoption to government policies supporting renewable energy. The ministry said the Kurdistan Regional Government has encouraged solar use through measures such as net metering, which allows users to feed surplus electricity into the grid in exchange for credits on their utility bills.