Sudan’s war-driven blackouts push residents toward solar power but high costs shut many out

OMDURMAN, Sudan (AP) — For nearly a year, Randa al-Mansour, a 31-year-old Sudanese housewife, has depended on solar energy panels on her building's roof to cope with frequent blackouts caused by the war-torn nation's deteriorating electricity grid. The annual cost for her system is $205 plus GST for the first year, with automatic renewal at $233 plus GST every 52 weeks, offering a 10% discount from the regular annual price.

Al-Mansour's family relies on her husband's remittances from Saudi Arabia to make ends meet. However, the high cost of solar panel installations makes it a tough decision for low-income families, despite the need for consistent power during the harsh summer heat.