As they explained, the project is not merely about renewable energy; their campaign is transforming communities through workshops and training sessions designed to educate residents on the energy transition. 
 

As part of the ‘Sun4All’ project, funded by Horizon 2020, four European pilot cities are facilitating access to renewable energy generation for vulnerable households, focusing on both economic and environmental benefits. These cities include Barcelona in Spain, Almada in Portugal, Cor de Savoia in France, and Rome in Italy. 

This initiative has been particularly beneficial for households dealing with energy poverty, which otherwise would lack the capacity to invest in solar energy. 

The city of Barcelona views energy poverty as a significant challenge, and this issue is addressed through its Climate Action Plan, which aims to eliminate energy poverty by 2030. Currently, 1 in 10 of Barcelona's residents (10.6% of its population), representing over 69,000 households, experience energy poverty. 

The project recently kicked off in Barcelona, focusing on supporting residents of two specific buildings, by installing solar panels on their rooftops, and making them co-owners of local solar PV installations at no cost. In practice, this means that the solar energy produced will be credited to their energy bills, and will reduce their energy costs. 

One of the buildings involved provides housing to vulnerable households, and is located in the Eixample neighbourhood. This building, owned by the Municipal Institute of Housing and Renovation of Barcelona, benefits from pre-planned investments in solar PV installations as part of the Neighbourhood Plan. This plan aims to reduce inequalities, particularly in access to water and energy. 

These efforts also focus on non-financial support, as participants will also receive advice on efficient energy management at home, and will be able to attend workshops on energy rights and efficiency. This initiative also targets 100 schools in the city alone with a three-year plan. The community programme aims to support an inclusive energy transition towards sustainable energy production in Barcelona and beyond. 

The benefits of this project extend beyond financial savings. As Aniol explained, “There has been an additional benefit, which is that people from the buildings come together, creating a sense of community. People become more aware of energy consumption and build stronger relationships with their neighbours.”