Solar Panels on Electric Tricycles: Cuba’s Solution to the U.S. Oil Blockade

Meet Cuba's newest form of transportation: an electric tricycle powered by a solar panel.

"These tricycles are solving a huge problem for the country," said Evanys Pérez Pérez, a tricycle driver. "This tricycle serves two purposes: it's for the family, sick people, neighbors and friends. But it's also used to transport passengers. Given the situation we're facing with the power supply, there are times when the tricycle can't be charged properly."

Since Trump imposed an oil blockade in January, blackouts in Cuba now last more than 20 hours a day.

"The idea came from the issue of power outages. Sometimes you go to places where there's no power. So you take advantage of the sun, and while the sun is out, you charge the tricycle," said Andy García Trujillo, a solar panel installer.

"Most of the solar panels we install provide 600–620 watts to give you greater range," said Alian Martínez Díaz, a solar panel installer. "If you install a much smaller panel, like the one you'd install on that tricycle over there, it won't provide as much range on the larger vehicles. Most tricycles can carry 1,500 pounds. Some models can carry one ton. The solar panel weighs 75 pounds. That's less than an average person weighs. The weight is minimal for how much farther you can go. It's worth it because you can go 20 to 25 miles. Some tricycles have gone as far as 30 miles without stopping."

"I'm doing this because these panels didn't come with long cables. We're connecting outlets to the MPPT charge controller, and the solar panel cables reach down below," he added. "This type of panel comes with short cables, so you have to improvise using solar cables and other cables that are well-protected."

"As long as the sun is out, it's charging the battery," Pérez said. "It's always feeding 8 amps directly to the battery, and that increases the range. If we used to travel 49 to 55 miles on battery power alone, we can now travel 93 miles. It shows you the amps here. Right now it's drawing two amps because there's practically no sunlight."

"The solar panels don't affect the battery's charge cycles, because you're not actually charging the battery while you're moving," said Andy García Díaz, a solar panel installer. "When you're moving, you're drawing power to the charge controller and the motor. And when you're stopped you're charging the battery. Gel batteries last longer while they're being charged."

"It's been amazing because it's increased the tricycle's range," Pérez said. "A lot of people haven't seen them, and when they do, they're like: 'No way, a solar panel? This is the future.'"

"These tricycles are helping solve the transportation problem the country is facing," said Martínez. "Right now, they are what's keeping this country moving."