Impact Spotlight
35.1 kW solar system to reduce electricity costs for 227 families in São Paulo
Solar installation and maintenance training for 30 women and youth
A resident-led solar collective will operate the system and advocate for community energy rights
About
At the Carolina Maria de Jesus housing complex in São Paulo, residents have spent decades building dignified housing through collective effort. Despite limited infrastructure and high utility costs, this vibrant community has organized for basic rights and autonomy. Now, they are turning that same collective power toward solar energy—leading the transition to a just, community-rooted energy future.
Instituto Pólis is a Brazilian nonprofit advancing urban justice and energy democracy. In partnership with the National Union for Popular Housing (UNMP), they support communities living in self-managed housing across São Paulo and Salvador—regions long shaped by racial inequality, environmental injustice, and grassroots resistance.
“Solar energy can and should be used for the most vulnerable people—those who truly need clean energy and also energy they can afford. So I believe the Collective is essential for spreading this knowledge.”
HF Partnership
In partnership with the Honnold Foundation, Instituto Pólis and UNMP will install a 35.1 kW on-grid solar system to power common areas at the Carolina Maria de Jesus housing complex in São Paulo. In parallel, 30 residents will complete training in energy justice, solar technology, and system maintenance, culminating in a community-led build and the launch of a resident-run Solar Energy Collective. The collective will manage the system, steward energy savings, and scale solar solutions to other housing cooperatives across the region. By combining clean energy with education and organizing, the project builds lasting community resilience and economic opportunity in the heart of Brazil’s urban peripheries.
In the News
