Amazon communities turn to solar power to combat El Niño droughts
Deep in the Amazon rainforest, the riverine community of Nova Sociedade faced severe water shortages during the 2024 drought, forcing residents to walk miles in search of clean water. Two years later, the community is better prepared for another potential drought brought on by El Niño, thanks to the installation of solar panels that power water pumps and storage tanks. The Amazon-based nonprofit Saude e Alegria provided the system, which now supplies clean water to all 36 families in the village.
Before solar power arrived, Nova Sociedade relied on expensive and polluting diesel generators for electricity. The transition to solar power has not only reduced reliance on diesel but also improved access to clean water and electricity in homes, schools, and health centers. Each household in Nova Sociedade recently received its own solar-power system, donated by Schneider Electric through Saude e Alegria. The easy-to-install kits include batteries to power lights at night and charge phones and other small devices.
Off-grid solar power is transforming daily life in isolated Amazon communities. The technology is increasingly supporting schools, health centers, and local businesses. According to official data, the number of off-grid systems installed in remote areas of the Amazon rose from just 105 in 2020 to more than 11,000 in 2022, exceeding 100,000 by 2026. Fabio Galdino dos Santos, a researcher at the Institute for Energy and Environment, noted that nearly all of these installations are solar-powered.
The shift to solar power has significant environmental benefits. Caetano Scannavino, an environmentalist and manager of Saude e Alegria, emphasized that solar technology uses the power of the sun and can replace practices that drive global warming. In Ana, another riverine community, newly installed solar panels allow staff to refrigerate vaccines, conduct telemedicine appointments, and operate basic medical equipment. In Surucua, the arrival of solar power has brought silence to Sao Benedito School, enabling children to read outside and teachers to conduct classes without the noise of diesel generators.