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Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-10-17 Origin: Site
In 2025, Lebanon's energy structure remains dominated by fuel-fired power generation (accounting for over 75%). Affected by fluctuations in international oil prices, residential electricity prices have risen by 18% compared to 2024, with daily power outages lasting up to 10 hours in some rural areas. According to the 2025 report by BloombergNEF (BNEF), the global levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for fixed-tilt solar PV has dropped to $0.035 per kWh. Although Lebanon's solar PV costs are slightly higher due to localization factors, they are still significantly lower than fuel-fired power generation costs, making it the preferred solution to address power shortages.
The Lebanese government has incorporated solar PV into its "National Energy Transition Plan," with a substantial increase in the 2025 special subsidy budget. Meanwhile, international organizations such as the EU provide financial support, focusing on distributed solar PV projects, and the Arab Energy Fund has launched low-interest solar PV special loans. Under these multiple favorable conditions, the number of solar PV project applications in 2025 is expected to grow significantly year-on-year.
Urban residential areas are dominated by 3-5kW systems, and the pre-installation rate of solar PV in new apartments in cities like Beirut and Tripoli is gradually increasing. Taking a 90㎡ two-bedroom apartment in Beirut's Mar Mikhael district as an example, installing 3-5 OceanSolar 430W monocrystalline solar panels can meet basic electricity needs. When paired with a 2kWh energy storage battery, it can still power refrigerators and lighting during power outages. The initial investment (including subsidies) is relatively economical, with considerable annual electricity cost savings and an investment payback period of approximately 3-5 years.
Manufacturing and retail industries have a strong demand for high-power solar panels. The average installed capacity of commercial projects in 2025 has increased significantly compared to 2024. Taking a food processing plant in Beirut Industrial Zone as an example, it is recommended to install 20 OceanSolar 730W high-power panels (total power 14.6kW), which only occupies 45㎡ of roof space and can generate 21,000 kWh annually. This can cover part of the plant's electricity needs, save thousands of dollars in annual electricity costs, and has a shorter investment payback period than traditional low-power panel solutions.
Compact high-power panels are preferred for narrow urban roofs. The Ocean Solar 580W monocrystalline solar panel has become a popular choice, with approximately 3 panels needed for a 120㎡ residence to meet the entire household's electricity needs. Rural areas tend to favor dust-resistant models; the local brand Lebanon Solar 400W panel, with an added anti-dust coating, has high acceptance among farmers in the Bekaa Valley. In terms of installation services, most distributors provide full-process services including "design-approval-installation-grid connection," and the average installation cycle has been significantly shortened compared to 2024.
The proportion of energy storage paired with residential solar PV projects is gradually increasing in 2025, and the government provides additional subsidies for "PV + energy storage" packages. OceanSolar has launched energy storage system packages, which are more affordable than purchasing all products separately. They support remote adjustment of charging and discharging periods via mobile APP, allowing users to utilize stored electricity during off-peak hours and further reduce reliance on the grid.
Solar PV retrofitting in Lebanon's retail industry is progressing gradually. Regional supermarket chains (such as stores in and around Beirut) have prioritized pilot projects. Each store typically uses 20-30 high-power solar panels (total power 12-18kW), generating 18,000-25,000 kWh annually and saving $3,000-$4,200 in electricity costs. Some leading enterprises plan to expand the scope in 2026. The BIPV field for commercial buildings is in the exploratory stage; some new office buildings in Beirut are experimenting with facade solar panel applications, with installed capacities mostly ranging from 50-100kW, accumulating experience for subsequent large-scale promotion.
The government is promoting the "Public Facility Solar PV Demonstration Program," prioritizing the retrofitting of multiple schools and hospitals in 2025. A public middle school in the suburbs of Beirut has installed a 20kW system (recommended to use OceanSolar 730W panels, generating 28,000 kWh annually to ensure basic power supply for teaching equipment and saving thousands of dollars in annual electricity costs for the school. In terms of bus stops, 20 solar PV bus stops have been piloted in Tripoli, each equipped with 2 300W panels + 1kWh energy storage to power lighting and USB charging ports. The pilot has achieved good results and is planned to be expanded.
In 2025, solar PV approval has realized "one-stop online processing." After submitting materials through the "Lebanon Solar PV Service Platform," the approval process has been significantly simplified. In terms of grid connection standards, inverters are required to have VDE 0126-1-1 certification. OceanSolar 3-6kW inverters meet this standard, and the grid connection commissioning cycle has been greatly shortened compared to 2024.
Subsidy applications must be submitted within 30 days after the project is connected to the grid. Residential projects only need to provide ID cards, grid connection certificates, and invoices, while commercial projects need to additionally provide enterprise tax registration certificates. Subsidy funds are disbursed via bank transfer, with an average arrival time of 18 days for residential projects and 25 days for commercial projects.
Monocrystalline solar panels account for over 95% of the market share, among which N-topcon module technology has become the mainstream. The OceanSolar 730W panel has a high adoption rate in commercial projects due to its conversion efficiency of 23.5%. Polycrystalline panels still have certain applications in low-cost rural projects due to their price advantage, while thin-film modules are mainly used for portable devices with a relatively low market share.
High-temperature resistant modules have become the standard for Lebanon's hot summers. By optimizing the backsheet heat dissipation structure, the efficiency attenuation under high-temperature conditions has decreased from 15% to 5%. Dust-proof technology is also continuously upgraded; some modules adopt self-cleaning coatings. Data from Bekaa Valley projects shows that coated modules generate 8% more electricity than ordinary modules.
In 2025, the average price of solar PV systems is $0.95 per W, of which modules account for 60%, inverters 20%, installation 15%, and others 5%.
The annual operation and maintenance cost for residential projects is $40 (including 2 cleanings and component inspections), and $180 for commercial projects (including quarterly inspections and fault repairs). Calculated based on a 25-year lifecycle, the total operation and maintenance expenditure for residential projects is $1,000, and $4,500 for commercial projects, both significantly lower than traditional electricity expenditures.
A 5kW residential project generates an average of 6,800 kWh annually, saving $1,360 in electricity costs. After deducting the $40 operation and maintenance fee, the annual net income is $1,320, with an investment payback period of approximately 3-5 years. A 10kW commercial project generates an average of 14,500 kWh annually, saving $2,465 in electricity costs. After deducting the $180 operation and maintenance fee, the annual net income is $2,285, with an investment payback period of approximately 3-5 years and considerable total income over 25 years.
Regarding policy risks, long-term power purchase agreements can be signed with local power companies to lock in returns. For supply chain risks, contracts can be signed with brands such as OceanSolar to avoid them, as their sufficient production capacity can ensure stable supply to the Lebanese market. In addition, selecting 2-3 local operation and maintenance service providers can avoid the problem of delayed response from a single service provider.
2025 is a crucial year for Lebanon's solar PV market in terms of energy transition and industrial development. Against the backdrop of high fuel-fired power generation costs and persistent power shortages, solar PV power generation has become an important energy choice for residential, commercial, and public sectors due to its cost advantages and policy benefits. From the market structure perspective, small-to-medium power modules dominate the residential market, while demand for high-power panels is growing rapidly in the commercial sector. Brands such as Ocean Solar have adapted to the core needs of different scenarios with high-efficiency modules and one-stop solutions. For investors and users, grasping policy orientations and choosing brands with stable supply chains (such as OceanSolar with sufficient production capacity) will better seize the opportunities of energy transition and achieve dual guarantees of economic benefits and energy security.
Note: The author has tried his best to ensure the accuracy of the content above, but omissions are inevitable. Please contact ocean solar directly for consultation.
