Solar Panels for the residents of Mária Telep settlement in Baks
Nominated by: Eva schwab (Junior Energy Poverty Policy Officer)
Summary of the project
The Lightbringers Foundation’s “Solar Panels for Mária Telep in Baks” project addresses energy poverty by installing affordable, low-tech solar solutions in 14 marginalised Roma households, fostering community-led climate action.
Innovation
The Lightbringers Foundation’s project introduces a powerful, community-led innovation model addressing energy poverty in marginalised Roma communities. Co-founded by Aranka Rostás, herself from the community, the initiative combines technical adaptation, social empowerment, and policy advocacy to deliver inclusive climate solutions.
At its core are customized, low-cost solar panel systems designed in collaboration with the Budapest University of Technology. Tailored to meet the needs of substandard housing, each system includes a solar panel, battery, control unit, and LED lighting, providing essential electricity without relying on unreliable grids or harmful solid fuels.
Unlike traditional top-down programs, the project follows a community-driven model. Residents participate in planning, prioritisation, and installation, ensuring fairness and relevance. Local volunteers are trained to install and maintain the systems, creating long-term resilience and technical literacy within the settlement.
The project also breaks gender barriers by training Roma women and girls in solar technology—an area where they are typically underrepresented. This not only provides technical skills but also fosters leadership and confidence, with Aranka acting as a visible role model for gender equality in the energy sector.
By proving that micro-renewables can work in structurally excluded communities, the initiative makes a compelling case for policy reform. It has sparked national discussions on energy poverty, drawing attention to the systemic gaps in support for vulnerable families.
Aranka’s long-term vision is for Roma communities to be fully involved in climate action, contributing to a just, inclusive energy transition. Through its technical, social, and political innovation, the project sets a new standard for energy justice in Hungary and beyond.
Impact
The project brought immediate energy relief to 14 of the most disadvantaged households in Mária Telep by providing solar-powered systems that restored access to electricity. Each unit, costing between €5,000–€10,000, includes a solar panel, battery, control unit, and LED lighting, and supports up to 300 watts of essential electrical use, meeting the basic needs of families excluded from conventional energy systems.
Beyond technical delivery, the project has had significant public impact, with over 50 national and international media articles highlighting its role in combatting energy poverty. This visibility has helped raise awareness among the public and policymakers, positioning energy deprivation in marginalised communities as a pressing national issue.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Aranka Rostás became a leading voice in a nationwide campaign—in partnership with Polgár Alapítvány—that spotlighted the realities of families unable to afford basic utilities. The campaign contributed to wider public discourse and advanced calls for systemic change in how energy poverty is addressed, amplifying the voices of those most affected.
Scalability and replicability
The Lightbringers Foundation’s project offers a replicable model for energy access in marginalised communities, combining low-cost solar technology, community ownership, and skills training.
With a cost of €5,000–€10,000 per household, the modular systems are adaptable to different housing conditions and energy needs, making them viable without large infrastructure investments.
The participatory approach, where locals manage and install the systems, ensures ownership and long-term sustainability, and can be easily replicated in similar excluded settlements.
The project’s training program, particularly for women and girls, is integrated into a certification scheme, supporting green job access and local workforce development.
Its success has sparked national dialogue on energy poverty and Roma inclusion, making it a case study for NGOs and public institutions aiming to implement inclusive, grassroots energy solutions.