The arrival of goods at Las Novedades store, located in the heart of Holguín, has sparked renewed interest among locals hoping to purchase solar panels, though the exact release date and pricing remain unannounced.
This past Friday, a video shared on Facebook by Héctor García Rubio captured the unloading of what appeared to be the initial batch of Chinese merchandise at the store, which has been undergoing renovations for several months.
The items unloaded included plastic products and bicycles, but it is the solar panels that are capturing the attention of Holguín's residents, who are enduring ongoing power outages across the country.
"They say they brought plastic items, and the gentleman mentioned this bicycle... But the main thing everyone in Holguín is waiting for are the solar panels," the video's narrator remarked.
A passerby mentioned that solar panels would also arrive, albeit "later on." However, when asked about the prices, the video’s author was informed that pricing details were not yet available, and no timeline was provided for when the equipment would be on sale.
The goods have been brought in by SUMAI S.A., a Cuban-Chinese joint venture that made its debut in Holguín after launching operations in Camagüey in late 2025 and later expanding to Havana.
The company was established in January 2025 by Cuba's ALBUS S.A. and China's Hangzhou Iunke Industrial Development Co., Ltd., operating under the Latin America Investment and Trade Platform (PICLA), aligned with China's Belt and Road Initiative.
The company's catalog features 590-watt monocrystalline solar panels with a peak efficiency of 23.2%, alongside food items, construction materials, hardware, appliances, and household goods.
Eimy Iturralde, the company's commercial director, stated that the enterprise was founded to provide "a broader, more varied, and competitive offering."
The Holguín Business Group of Commerce officially announced in late August the arrival of SUMAI's first container to the province, though the actual opening of Las Novedades to the public remains unscheduled.
What official announcements fail to highlight is that SUMAI operates exclusively in US dollars, either in cash or through authorized cards in Cuba.
In a country where the average monthly salary is less than $20, access to these products is effectively limited to those receiving remittances or earning foreign currency through means other than state wages.
The keen interest in solar panels is understandable. Cuba is experiencing one of its worst electrical crises, with severe generation deficits, blackouts lasting over 20 hours in several areas, and frequent partial and total outages of the National Electrical System.
Amidst this backdrop, China has strengthened its energy collaboration with the island. It has donated two shipments of 5,000 photovoltaic systems, approved an emergency aid package of $80 million in January, and outlined plans to construct 92 solar parks with a 2,000 MW capacity by 2028.
Cuban imports of Chinese panels surged from $48 million in 2024 to $117 million in 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions about Solar Panels in Cuba
Why is there a high demand for solar panels in Holguín?
The demand for solar panels in Holguín is driven by the severe electrical shortages and prolonged blackouts affecting the region, making solar panels a viable alternative energy source.
What other products are being imported by SUMAI?
Besides solar panels, SUMAI imports a variety of goods including plastic products, bicycles, food items, construction materials, hardware, and household appliances.
How is SUMAI's operation impacting the local economy?
SUMAI's operation impacts the local economy by providing access to diverse goods, though its dollar-only transactions limit availability to those with foreign currency, creating disparities in access among the population.