June 5 is World Environment Day. The opportunity to highlight the initiative of a Brazilian NGO which installs solar panels in a favela in Rio.
We are in one of the favelas in Rio de Janeiro. It is in this poor neighborhood that the NGO “Revolusolar“has developed a project for access to solar energy.
Bibiana runs a small hotel and is one of the beneficiaries of the project.
“A lot of people here, a lot of families, pay electricity bills,” she explains. It is very expensive, and besides, the service is not good. There, thanks to solar panels, we made a lot of savings. Basically, it’s three times cheaper! It is magic ! “
Electricity and employment
In addition to providing solar panels, the NGO is working to train residents. The qualifications acquired make it possible to become, in particular, electricians, and therefore to be able to ensure the maintenance of equipment.
Valdinei Medina is the spokesperson for the NGO Revolusolar.
“We showed everyone that, despite the pandemic, we could train people and give them qualified jobs! “
Children’s awareness
It has been almost 5 years since this project was launched.
Solar panels provide electricity to a public school, two small hotels and 36 families.
It includes an educational component, intended to make children aware of environmental issues and in particular the interest of renewable energies.
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