Revolusolar Is Honored at ALERJ in a Special Session for Favela Day, Highlighting the Role of Solar Energy in Social Justice
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Organization celebrates 10 years of work and is recognized by State Representative Renata Souza for promoting autonomy, income generation, and sustainable development in communities

Revolusolar was one of the organizations honored during the Special Session for Favela Day, held by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Rio de Janeiro (ALERJ) on the evening of Thursday, December 11, at the Tiradentes Palace. The event, an initiative led by State Representative Renata Souza through the Special Commission on Favelas and Peripheries, celebrated trajectories that strengthen popular territories and help build policies centered on life, rights, and citizenship.

Bringing together community leaders, social movements, researchers, and institutions working in favelas, the ceremony included the presentation of the Marielle Franco and Abdias Nascimento Diplomas, the Dandara Award, and the Carolina Maria de Jesus Honor. The awards recognized contributions in areas such as Education, Communication, Culture, Food Sovereignty, Human Rights, and Capoeira.

Founded in 2015 in the Babilônia and Chapéu Mangueira communities, Revolusolar completed a decade of work in 2025. Over this period, the organization has become a national reference in community-based solar energy, combining technology, professional training, income generation, and environmental education to promote energy autonomy and social justice in favelas.

Representing the organization at the ceremony, Cecília Pestana, Director of Projects, emphasized that the recognition from ALERJ reinforces the central role favelas play in creating sustainable and innovative solutions:

“It is an honor to be here on Favela Day celebrating the strength of these territories. Revolusolar was born in 2015 in Babilônia and Chapéu Mangueira. Since then, we have learned every day from the communities we work with. Our story only exists because these territories opened doors, built solutions together, and showed us that real innovation comes from everyday life and creativity in the face of challenges,” said Cecília.

During the session, State Representative Renata Souza stated that the date represents both a political and symbolic milestone for the State of Rio de Janeiro:

“Today is not just a Special Session. It is a political act of recognition. Favelas are not the absence of the State — they are territories of intelligence, organization, care, and future-building,” said Renata Souza.

With 10 years of experience, Revolusolar continues to expand its work by training new professionals, increasing community solar installations, and strengthening educational projects that engage children, young people, and families in favelas.

The tribute at ALERJ reaffirms the organization’s impact and its commitment to showing that a just energy transition must be rooted in — and led by — the territories that have historically had the least access to public policies and energy infrastructure.