A bright idea: Gazans use car batteries to power homes

As the Israeli siege imposed on the Gaza Strip remains strict and intact affecting main aspects of life such as electricity and fuel, Gaza’s residents continue to find creative solutions to problems caused by the siege.

Palestinian electrician Hassan Saeed did his best to develop a lighting circuit to illuminate the streets of his quarter in Al-Shejaea neighbourhood to the east of the Gaza Strip.

Saeed can use old car batteries, which maintain very little electricity, to light two 500 metre streets and 60 homes using LED panel lights.

The LED lights do not consume much electricity and the car batteries are used eight hours a day when the electricity supply cuts.

Supported by individual donations, Saeed can cover the cost of the necessary wires and LED panels. Some people offered him technical support and advice that helped in completing and maintaining his “plant”.

This kind of lighting is safe when compared with candles and homemade electricity inverters which caused fires in many homes and claimed the lives of many during the siege.

The cost of lighting a house using Saeed’s National Unity Network for Charitable Lightening project is $50, however he charges households nothing instead depending on donations to cover costs.

Radios, laptops and internet routers also run on this electricity.

MEMO Photographer: Mohammed Asad

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