Chinese solar panel products provide reliable electricity solutions in Afghanistan

Kabul (ANTARA) - The growing interest in solar energy reflects a broader trend in Afghanistan, where frequent power outages have prompted more households, business owners, and farmers to switch to solar power. Standing amongst piles of solar power equipment, a trader named Qari Gul Alam Samim stated that the solar products available in Afghanistan originate largely from China. He noted that the number of customers has continued to increase in recent years as more citizens become familiar with solar technology. “In the past, customers usually required technicians to handle solar panel installations,” he said. “Now, many people understand how the equipment works and can complete most installations themselves after purchasing them.”

The expanding market includes homeowners seeking backup power sources, shop owners striving to reduce disruptions from blackouts, factories seeking a stable power supply, and farmers using solar-powered pumps to irrigate their fields. Outside of urban areas, traders say solar energy is becoming increasingly common in agriculture, where farmers use solar systems to pump water for irrigation in locations with limited electricity access. For Nusratullah Mohammad Khail, a resident of Kabul, the decision to install a solar system was made after experiencing repeated power outages. “In winter, power outages occur frequently, and during summer, the electricity supply is often insufficient for daily needs,” he said. “That is why we installed a solar system in our home.” He added that the system has functioned reliably and that high-quality batteries can last for years with proper use.

Nearby, another trader, Haji Qari, said sales typically peak between March and July, when demand for solar equipment rises across the country. “Hundreds of containers filled with solar products arrive in Afghanistan during this season,” he said. “600-watt and 700-watt systems are among the most popular because they are capable of meeting the needs of many families.” Ahmad, a farmer in a rural district outside Kabul, said solar panels have transformed how he manages his land. Previously, he relied on diesel pumps or an unreliable electricity supply to draw water from the nearest well. This method was expensive and often unreliable. After installing a small solar-powered pump system, he said he can now irrigate his fields more consistently throughout the day.