Solar Energy

Baghdad, Iraq Going Solar With Help From the US Army

Published

January 28, 2009

Say what you will about the occupation of Iraq— you can’t fault the US Army for neglecting to equip the country with renewable energy. In the northwest section of Baghdad alone, US forces are conducting nearly two dozen solar projects in an attempt to alleviate Iraq’s electricity crisis.

Baghdad’s Amariyah clinic, for example, recently received a $165,000 solar installation. Previously, the clinic received only 12 hours of electricity each day, and many vaccines were spoiled. While the clinic now has enough power only for the essentials, Amariyah’s solar installation will save $2 million over 25 years.

The US military has also purchased over 1,000 bulletproof solar-powered streetlights for the city, and is planning similar installations in Fallouja and Ramadi.

All in all, US forces will spent a cool $6 million on solar projects in northwest Baghdad.

Photo Credit: CC-licensed by Flickr user Luodanli

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In this article:baghdad, iraq

Written By Ariel Schwartz

was formerly the editor of CleanTechnica and is a senior editor at Co.Exist. She has contributed to SF Weekly, Popular Science, Inhabitat, Greenbiz, NBC Bay Area, GOOD Magazine, and more. A graduate of Vassar College, she has previously worked in publishing, organic farming, documentary film, and newspaper journalism. Her interests include permaculture, hiking, skiing, music, relocalization, and cob (the building material). She currently resides in San Francisco, CA.