From climate-driven disasters to Rohingya refugee camps, solar kits help keep the lights on

In the aftermath of natural disasters and humanitarian crises, portable solar kits have emerged as a vital source of electricity for displaced populations. In Teknaf, Bangladesh, Rohingya refugees reliant on a bamboo-and-tarpaulin shack have found daily life significantly easier thanks to a solar panel they received as aid six years ago.

The panel enables them to charge devices, cook, study at night, and stay cool in the hot season. Experts note that solar energy is increasingly becoming a crucial aspect of disaster relief as technology becomes more affordable and humanitarian organizations recognize the fundamental need for access to electricity. These kits are portable, rechargeable, and independent of the grid, making them invaluable resources during emergencies.

Sarah Rosenberg-Jansen, a research fellow at the Stockholm Environment Institute, explains that solar kits can be quickly deployed and are ideal for situations involving rapidly rising floodwaters, shifting conflict lines, or challenging terrain. Solar energy kits range from solar lanterns to home systems, torches, heating pads, and electric cook stoves.

The decreasing cost of solar energy has played a significant role in its role in disaster relief, as solar panels are not susceptible to price shocks like fossil fuels, which can be challenging and costly to transport to a disaster zone. In Ukraine, where conflict has disrupted traditional infrastructure, solar kits have provided much-needed power to families.

In Pakistan, a tuberculosis clinic run by Doctors Without Borders now relies on solar energy, while in South Sudan, the U.N. migration agency installed solar-powered water filtration systems for displaced families. Despite these successes, challenges remain, such as integration difficulties for aid agencies and the impact of reduced international donor funding on technical expertise in the humanitarian sector.