North Korean imports of Chinese-made solar panels fell to zero in March, China’s customs figures show, the first time they have done so since 2010.

The use of solar panels in North Korea appeared to rapidly expand in throughout 2015 and 2016 as manufacturing costs fell and imports from China rose.

Photographs of solar panels on buildings and balconies both in Pyongyang and in rural areas also suggested that many North Koreans were likely generating their own electricity to supplement the government’s inconsistent supplies.

But imports fell sharply in 2017, dropping to USD$1.9 million from