Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Palestinians prepare to lose the solar panels that provide a lifeline



Israel is planning to demolish 'illegal' solar panels that are the only source of electricity for Palestinians in West Bank villages

Phoebe Greenwood in Tel Aviv
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 14 March 2012

"Two large solar panels jut out of the barren landscape near Imneizil in the Hebron hills. The hi-tech structures sit incongruously alongside the tents and rough stone buildings of the Palestinian village, but they are fundamental to life here: they provide electricity.

Imneizil is not connected to the national electricity grid. Nor are the vast majority of Palestinian communities in Area C, the 62% of the West Bank controlled by Israel. The solar energy has replaced expensive and clunky oil-powered generators.

According to the Israeli authorities, these solar panels – along with six others in nearby villages – are illegal and have been slated for demolition....."

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