CE Indigenous Municipal School Puranga Pisasu - Fund A2E

In the Nova Esperança Indigenous community, Puranga Pisasú Municipal School depends on diesel generators that provide electricity for only three hours each night. During the day, the lack of energy prevents access to the internet and digital educational resources and limits classroom ventilation and food refrigeration.

The generators consume more than 2,000 litres of diesel per month, with high financial, logistical and environmental costs. The community’s isolation in the Rio Cuieiras/ Rio Negro region makes fuel transport and equipment maintenance even more difficult. 

Country: Brazil 
Region: Nova Esperança Indigenous Community, Cuieiras River, Amazonas

The project will install a standalone solar system with batteries at Puranga Pisasú School, integrated with the existing generator as a backup source. The solution will provide continuous energy to the school and 48 community homes, improving conditions for learning, connectivity, refrigeration and other community activities.

With electricity available throughout the day, the school will be able to use digital equipment, access the internet and integrate the solar system into the curriculum as a practical environmental education resource. The energy will also help support the preservation and digitization of content in the Nheengatu language, while also generating revenue through the production of handicrafts made by the women and men of this community.

Four community members, with balanced participation by women and men, will be trained as “Energy Guardians”. They will be responsible for monitoring the installation and carrying out basic maintenance tasks, with remote technical support from Manaus.

Financial sustainability will be strengthened through a reserve fund managed by the Residents’ Association. A “Green Energy Conservation Fee” will be introduced for tourists visiting the community or using local accommodation. This contribution linked to community-based tourism will help finance repairs and the future replacement of components, reducing dependence on external funding.

Expected results:

• A solar system with batteries will provide continuous energy to the school and 48 community homes.
• Reliable daytime electricity will enable the use of the internet, digital resources, refrigeration and ventilation.
• Training four “Energy Guardians” will strengthen local capacity to monitor and maintain the installation.
• A fund financed through community-based tourism will contribute to future repairs and equipment replacement.
• Reduced diesel consumption could avoid the use of around 26,000 litres per year and approximately 70 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
• Integrating solar energy into the curriculum will create new opportunities for environmental education and practical learning.