GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Palestine is investing in renewable energy in a bid to end its economic dependency on Israel and achieve energy self-sufficiency. On Jan. 22, the West Bank city of Qalqilya marked a milestone, opening its first solar-powered mosque, Al-Rahmah.

The Palestinian Investment Fund (PIF) and the Ministry of Education signed an agreement Jan. 16 for the development and installation of solar panels on the roofs of 500 public schools over a period of four years. The project will generate a total capacity of 35 megawatts of electricity after an investment of $35 million.

Adnan Saeed, the director general of the Awqaf Department in Qalqilya governorate, told Al-Monitor, “The idea for a solar-powered mosque came at the individual initiative of a citizen who collected the necessary funds from his relatives and acquaintances. The idea was approved by the department as economically viable and in line with the national strategy aimed at achieving economic self-sufficiency and supporting investment in renewable and alternative energy.”

Fawaz Fahmi, the citizen behind the initiative, told Al-Monitor that he wanted to finance a solar system to keep the mosque open at all times and not see it closed after every prayer. He said that 36 energy panels producing 8 kilowatts cost about $11,000, and the initiative has indeed led to an increase in visiting worshippers.