Solar power systems now generate 155 megawatts of electricity across the Kurdistan Region as households and businesses seek cheaper alternatives to grid power and private generators.
Demand for solar energy continues to grow because users want to reduce monthly electricity expenses and avoid high operating costs.
ABC Restaurant in Erbil switched to solar power six months ago. Mohammed Ghazi, an electrical engineer at the restaurant, said the system had cut monthly electricity costs by between 50% and 60%.
Experts say a small solar system that provides 15 amperes during the day and eight amperes at night costs about $3,500. The system usually includes a ten-year guarantee. When owners spread that cost across its expected lifetime, the monthly expense equals roughly $29.
Large businesses are also adopting the technology. One supermarket in Erbil installed a 150-ampere system on its roof. Owner Ali Tahsin expects the panels to reduce the shop’s monthly electricity bill by more than 500,000 Iraqi dinars.
According to the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Electricity, solar systems currently produce 155 megawatts across the Region. However, officials estimate that more than half of this capacity has not yet been formally registered.
The government has started taking steps to regulate the expanding sector. The Ministry of Electricity plans to issue new rules for installing and registering solar systems before the end of 2026.
Officials say the regulations will bring the sector under clearer supervision, improve safety standards and provide more accurate information about installed capacity.
Solar power offers households and businesses a way to lower costs while reducing dependence on conventional electricity sources. Continued growth could also support cleaner energy production, ease pressure on the public grid and reduce reliance on diesel generators across the Kurdistan Region. It may also encourage investment in renewable energy services, equipment, installation and maintenance.
