Sun4All: Bringing solar power to the people

Energy communities are citizen-led initiatives that promote renewable energy. While gaining popularity across the EU, they often face challenges in supporting low-income households. Sun4All stepped in to bridge this gap, providing financial and technical solutions.

Inspired by a proven model

Sun4All is based on New York’s ‘Solar for All’ initiative, which funds solar farms to lower energy costs for renters and homeowners who may not otherwise have access to clean energy. 

Sun4All adapted this successful model to a European context. It even went a step further – helping vulnerable households actively participate in energy communities, switch to renewable energy and cut their bills.

How did it work?

Supported by a grant of almost €1.7 million from the EU’s Horizon 2020 research programme, the project was coordinated by Ecoserveis, a Barcelona-based consultancy specialised in sustainable energy. Bringing together partners from five other European countries, it piloted a collective self-consumption ‘Sun4All’ model in four European regions – Almada (Portugal), Barcelona (Spain), Rome (Italy), and Coeur de Savoie (France). 

Eligible participants in each pilot location were invited to become co-owners of a local photovoltaic power plant. Revenues from energy sales were then used to help lower the energy bills of the participating households, while advice on energy management helped support more efficient use. 

Each pilot location tailored the ‘Solar for All’ initiative to fit its local needs, developing a detailed implementation plan outlining eligibility criteria, recruitment strategies, and community engagement efforts. In addition, Sun4All led a Community of Practice, bringing together 10 other cities and regions that received technical support from the project to strengthen their energy initiatives.

From plans to real impact

“Our goal was to empower beneficiaries – to provide them with basic information about their energy rights, while transforming them into active participants in local energy communities and improving their living conditions,” explained project coordinator Camila Canelas.

The project has directly benefitted 1,250 consumers, based on the households participating in each pilot region. Additionally, around 5,620 consumers took part in various activities aimed at promoting local energy communities, encouraging behavioural change and achieving economic and energy savings to improve living conditions. Through communication and outreach efforts, Sun4All has also engaged approximately 116,000 consumers across the EU, raising awareness about the energy transition.

Driving policy change

Sun4All didn’t just provide solar access – it also pushed for policy improvements across the EU. By analysing regulatory hurdles and working with 10 other cities, the project advocated for better support for energy communities. 

While the project finished in September 2024, its legacy lives on! The Sun4All Toolkit can help stakeholders understand, implement, and replicate strategies to combat energy poverty using the Sun4All framework. It provides practical guidance, policy insights, and real-world examples.

Additionally, the comic book "Emma’s Destiny", available in French and English, raises awareness of climate action through an inspiring futuristic narrative. The comic book encourages readers, particularly younger audiences, to take proactive steps towards a sustainable future.

A step towards energy equity

With over 41 million Europeans affected by energy poverty, Sun4All developed innovative models to facilitate access of vulnerable consumers to solar power, helping improve their living conditions and paving the way for a more sustainable future.

MORE

• CORDIS project factsheet 
• Sun4All website
• Sun4All Project Presentation Video
• Sun4All Capacity and Training Package
  Sun4All Policy Brief – Fleshing out energy community legislation in EU Member States for a fair energy transition