Revolusolar

What Revolusolar does

Revolusolar is a Brazilian nonprofit organization founded in 2015 in Morro da Babilônia, Rio de Janeiro, that implements distributed solar PV projects in energy-poor communities using a proprietary methodology combining sustainable energy, professional training, and social development. Its portfolio comprises 10 named projects spanning favelas, indigenous territories, social housing complexes, schools, cultural centers, and shelters across Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Amazonas, and Espírito Santo. The flagship initiative is Cooperativa Percília e Lácio de Energias Renováveis, the first solar cooperative in a Brazilian favela, established in 2021 in Babilônia and Chapéu Mangueira.

The core technology stack is community-scale solar PV with battery storage where needed (e.g., the off-grid Kurasí Tury indigenous project in Terra Preta, Manaus). Supporting offerings include professional solar installer training (in partnership with IFAM and others), socio-energy diagnostic assessments used for both project design and public policy advocacy, and a research/policy publication line covering topics such as circular economy in the solar sector and distributed generation for social interest (GDIS). Equipment partners include GoodWe, Longi, UCB Power, and Eternit.

Revolusolar does not sell solar products or services commercially; it operates as a grant-funded nonprofit that delivers installations free of charge to beneficiary communities. Funding flows from three streams: grants and institutional funding (Waverley Street Foundation, Honnold Foundation, Instituto Clima e Sociedade, Fundo Casa SocioAmbiental), corporate partnerships and donations (TotalEnergies, EDP Brasil, Karoon Energy, Worley, Nextracker), and policy-research contracts with government agencies (MME, ANEEL, municipal and state governments) and international organizations (GIZ, IEI). Growth is community-led via NGO and government partnerships, with notable policy influence credited to Law 14.620/2023 (solar provisions in Minha Casa Minha Vida) and recognition at G20 Social and COP30.

Name

Revolusolar

Legal name

Revolusolar

Website

https://revolusolar.org.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Brazilian nonprofit founded in 2015 that implements community solar projects in favelas, indigenous territories, and social housing using a proprietary methodology combining energy access, job creation, and education, funded by grants and corporate donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Solar Energy Services

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Distributed Generation (DG) Solar & Small Wind (EUAMAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

DER Aggregation & Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) (EUAMAJAC), Interconnection, Permitting & Grid Services for DERs (EUAMAJAH), Resilience & Backup Power Solutions (Critical Facilities, Islanding) (EUAMAJAK)

Keywords

• Community solar projects
• Renewable energy nonprofit
• Solar installer training
• Energy transition advocacy
• Social housing solar

Headquarters

HQ city

Cidade Nova

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Grants and Institutional Funding: Funding from foundations (Waverley Street Foundation, Honnold Foundation, iCS, Fundo Casa SocioAmbiental), international organizations, and government programs to implement solar projects and conduct research.
2. Corporate Partnerships and Donations: Support from corporations (EDP Brasil, TotalEnergies, Karoon Energy, Worley) and partnerships for project implementation.
3. Public Policy Advocacy Services: Research, reports, policy recommendations, and technical studies produced in partnership with government agencies (MME, ANEEL, state and municipal governments) and international organizations (GIZ, IEI).

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Revolusolar is a Brazilian nonprofit that combats energy poverty by deploying community-owned solar photovoltaic installations in favelas, indigenous territories, social housing complexes, and community institutions across Brazil. Its work combines solar deployment with professional installer training, solar-cooperative formation, socio-energy diagnostics, and public-policy advocacy for a just energy transition. The proprietary Solar Community Creation Methodology, refined since 2015 in Morro da Babilônia, has been replicated across 10+ named projects in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Amazonas, and Espírito Santo, supported by grants and corporate partnerships.

Product overview

Revolusolar is a nonprofit organization that implements a portfolio of community solar projects across Brazil, using a proprietary methodology for creating solar communities that combines sustainable energy installation, professional training, and social development. The core offering consists of 10 named solar installation projects serving favelas, indigenous communities, and social housing complexes, including flagship initiatives like the Babilônia e Chapéu Mangueira Solar Cooperative (Brazil's first solar cooperative in a favela), the Circo Solar project, and the Kurasí Tury indigenous community project. Supporting products include professional solar installation training courses, research publications, and energy diagnostic assessments. Projects operate independently in different territories, with Revolusolar providing project management, community organizing, technical training, and partnerships for financing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Babilônia e Chapéu Mangueira Solar Cooperative The first solar energy cooperative in a Brazilian favela, providing clean and affordable energy to dozens of local families in Babilônia and Chapéu Mangueira, Rio de Janeiro, through a cooperative ownership model.
• Energia para Todos 4.0 Solar energy project at Instituto Favela da Paz in São Paulo's Jardim Ângela that cuts electricity costs to redirect resources to social, educational, and cultural activities, and led to the creation of Associação Favela Solar; expansion planned to include Universidade do Samba and 100 families.
• Circo Solar Solar installation on the Circo Crescer e Viver circus tent in Cidade Nova, Rio de Janeiro, generating 100% of on-site energy demand to reduce operational costs and reinvest savings in the circus's social mission.
• Kurasí Tury Off-grid solar PV project with battery storage serving the indigenous Baré community of Terra Preta in Manaus, providing autonomous energy for the school, health clinic, water pump, and community center serving 46 families.
• Conjunto Habitacional Paulo Freire Solar Collective Solar collective project serving the common areas of the Conjunto Habitacional Paulo Freire social housing complex in Guaianases, São Paulo, generating economies that are reinvested in the community, with planned Phase II expansion to serve 100 families directly.
• Comunidade Solar Jabaeté Solar community project in Jabaeté, Vila Velha, Espírito Santo, installing solar at community spaces including Instituto GG5, Tons de Amoras, and Nova Jabaeté Association, with Phase II targeting 100 families in social housing.
• Instituto Anjinho Feliz Solar Solar installation at Instituto Anjinho Feliz in Cidade Nova, Rio de Janeiro, reducing electricity costs by over 60% so savings can be reinvested in social support activities (cooking, sewing, IT courses) serving approximately 367 vulnerable families.
• Escola Solar Meninos de Luz Solar energy integration at the Escola Solar Meninos de Luz educational complex in Pavão-Pavãozinho and Cantagalo, Rio de Janeiro, supporting nursery-through-high-school programs and over 4,500 direct beneficiaries with educational, cultural, and social services.
• O Sol Nasce para Todos Solar installation at Museu da Maré in the Complexo de Favelas da Maré, Rio de Janeiro, powering the library, archive, and Marielle Franco toy library at CEASM and promoting community leadership in solar energy.
• Luz que Conduz Solar project at Sodalício da Sacra Família, a century-old shelter for visually impaired women in Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, including installer training and capacity building for the shelter's administrative team.
• Professional Solar Training Courses Educational programs that train community members as solar installers and build energy justice expertise, including the 'Justiça Energética e Transição Justa' online course and hands-on workshops delivered alongside community solar projects.
• Research and Policy Publications Technical reports, guides, and policy recommendations on energy transition and social solar energy, including studies on circular economy in the solar sector and on Distributed Generation of Social Interest (GDIS) with photovoltaic energy.
• Energy Diagnostics Socio-energy assessments measuring energy access, quality of supply, and community needs to inform solar project implementation and public-policy advocacy, exemplified by the Diagnóstico Socioenergético (DSE) in Jabaeté.

Quantifiable outcome

• 60%+ electricity cost reduction for community institutions (e.g., Instituto Anjinho Feliz, Conjunto Habitacional Paulo Freire)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and minor.

• ChangeXstrategicGTM or Marketing PartnerChangeX is a strategic partner for implementing the Luz que Conduz project at Sodalício da Sacra Família in Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro.
• Instituto PóliscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner for the Conjunto Habitacional Paulo Freire project in São Paulo and co-producer of the online course 'Justiça Energética e Transição Justa.' Partnered on studies about solar energy in housing programs.
• Cooperativa Percília e Lúcio de Energias RenováveiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst solar cooperative in Brazilian favelas, created by Revolusolar in Babilônia favela. The cooperative supplies clean, affordable energy to dozens of local families and has become a model for solar cooperatives nationwide.
• Instituto Favela da PazstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Jardim Ângela, São Paulo for the Energia para Todos 4.0 project. A community transformation hub offering activities in healthy food, health, art, culture, and sustainability.
• Centro de Estudos e Ações Solidárias da Maré (CEASM)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the O Sol Nasce para Todos project, installing the first solar plant in the Maré complex at Museu da Maré.
• Circo Crescer e ViverstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Circo Solar project in Cidade Nova, Rio de Janeiro. First solar installation by Revolusolar in a cultural facility, generating 100% of energy consumed on-site.
• COPIME (Coordenação dos Povos Indígenas de Manaus e Entornos)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous peoples organization that articulated the Kurasí Tury project in Terra Preta community, Manaus. Led the initiative to bring solar energy to the Baré indigenous community.
• Instituto Federal do Amazonas (IFAM)strategicImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTechnical partner for Kurasí Tury project, providing solar electrician training to 20 indigenous community members.
• WorleystrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian company partner for the Energia para Todos 4.0 project, providing expertise and support for solar installations in Instituto Favela da Paz.
• Move ESGstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the circular economy technical study for the solar sector, along with Plataforma EnergyC and Fundação Alexander von Humboldt.
• Plataforma EnergyCstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the circular economy technical study for the solar sector.
• União dos Movimentos de Moradia (UMM) - São PaulostrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with Instituto Pólis and Revolusolar for the Conjunto Habitacional Paulo Freire solar project.
• Grupo de Estudos do Setor Elétrico (GESEL)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in the Future Energy Systems project (Brazil-Germany cooperation) focused on social distributed generation models.
• International Energy Initiative (IEI)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner for technical report on Distributed Generation of Social Interest (GDIS) with solar photovoltaic energy.
• Rede Energia e ComunidadesstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork that Revolusolar participates in, focused on universal, fair, and sustainable access to clean energy, with actions concentrated in the Amazon region.
• Aliança Solar Internacional (ISA)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Solar Alliance invited Revolusolar's executive director to the first International Solar Energy Festival in India, sharing global solar energy trends.
• C40 CitiesstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational climate network for which Revolusolar's executive director participated in panels at Rio de Janeiro G20 discussions.
• CL SolarminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerImplementation partner for the Energia para Todos 4.0 project in São Paulo.
• EternitminorOthersPartner for the Babilônia e Chapéu Mangueira project.
• FiocruzminorOthersPartner for the Babilônia e Chapéu Mangueira project.
• Operador Nacional do Sistema Elétrico (ONS)strategicOthersNational Electric System Operator partnering on the Circo Solar project.
• Prefeitura do Rio de JaneirostrategicOthersRio de Janeiro city government partner for Circo Solar project.
• Secretaria Municipal de Meio Ambiente e Clima (SMAC)strategicOthersRio de Janeiro municipal environment and climate secretariat that made the Circo Solar project possible.
• Secretaria Estadual de Educação do Estado do Amazonas (SEMED)strategicOthersAmazonas state education secretariat partnering on the Kurasí Tury project.
• Liberdade SolarstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner presenting the Socio-Energy Assessment results with Revolusolar and EDP Brasil in Jabaeté community.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Ashden: UK-based charity accelerating climate and sustainable-energy solutions, including awards and visibility programs. Comparable as an ecosystem/recognition player that elevates clean-energy initiatives similar to Revolusolar's profile.
• Carbon Trust: Advisory and certification organization advising corporates and governments on low-carbon transition. Comparable as an adjacent ecosystem participant engaging corporates and policymakers on just-transition themes.

Direct peers

• Solar Sister: Women-led distributed solar enterprise model serving off-grid households across sub-Saharan Africa. Comparable as a community-rooted energy-access organization operating in underserved geographies.
• Instituto Pólis: Brazilian urban-sustainability institute and Revolusolar's named co-development partner on the Conjunto Habitacional Paulo Freire project and on social-energy policy studies — directly comparable in mission and Brazilian operating context.
• SELCO Foundation: India-based nonprofit providing decentralized solar energy access to underserved communities, combining sustainable energy with livelihood training and education — directly comparable to Revolusolar's community-solar methodology and energy-poverty mission.
• Barefoot College: Trains rural community members (including semi-literate 'Solar Mamas') as solar technicians and installs solar in off-grid villages globally. Closely mirrors Revolusolar's approach of training community installers and embedding energy + education in a single program.
• Litro de Luz: Brazilian-born nonprofit that distributes low-cost solar lighting bottles to communities without reliable electricity, with chapters across LATAM. Direct regional peer operating with the same favela/peri-urban energy-poverty mission.

Broad incumbents

• Sun King: One of the largest distributed solar companies serving off-grid and weak-grid households in emerging markets. Comparable mission of energy access for low-income customers, but at commercial scale via pay-as-you-go financing.
• M-KOPA: Leading pay-as-you-go solar provider in East Africa with millions of customers. Comparable end-user and energy-access thesis, but operating as a scaled commercial fintech-energy hybrid rather than a community-implementation nonprofit.
• d.light: Larger for-profit social enterprise providing pay-as-you-go solar home systems across Africa and Asia. Comparable end-customer (off-grid, low-income) but a much larger commercial-scale operator with broader product portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@revolusolar3494
• Facebookfacebook.com/Revolusolar
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/revolusolar
• Instagraminstagram.com/revolusolar
• Xx.com/revolusolar

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Revolusolar