Solar Microgrid Project in Campamento 7
One Shared Future Un Futuro Compartido (OSF) is launching a solar microgrid project in Campamento 7, a residential community within the municipality of Cienfuegos. The project will retrofit 23 residential buildings, each housing six family units, with building-level solar microgrids powered by donated photovoltaic (PV) panels and shared battery storage, providing reliable electricity to 138 families affected by frequent and prolonged power outages.
Originally constructed as temporary shelter and later converted into permanent, rent-free housing for families without stable residences, Campamento 7 faces significant energy challenges. Even before the current energy crisis, which has worsened widespread blackouts, residents of Campamento 7 regularly endured outages lasting up to 24 hours. Irregular and unpredictable electricity disrupts daily life, including access to food, water, and essential services, and complicates care work, education, people’s livelihoods.
The project will utilize donated and recycled solar panels provided by Sunset Renewables, an Indigenous-owned renewable energy company based in Canada. By repurposing renewable energy equipment that still has significant productive life remaining, the initiative significantly reduces capital costs while promoting circular economy principles and responsible technology reuse.
A key component of the project is active community engagement. Residents of Campamento 7 will participate in documenting their experiences, identifying challenges, and providing feedback to guide the design, operation, and ongoing improvement of the community-managed solar microgrids. This participatory approach will foster local ownership, build technical capacity, and generate valuable knowledge to inform future renewable energy projects across Cuba.
Each of the 23 buildings in campamento 7 have an identical design with ample roof space for solar panels
Alfredo sharing information about the project with the residents
