Redefining Rooftop Solar Through Community Action

The Dominican Republic faces high electricity costs and grid instability due to a heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels, which account for nearly 83% of generation. While rooftop solar exists, it is concentrated among the wealthiest 4.5% of the population, creating an unequal transition that erodes utility revenues and increases government subsidy burdens. To address this, the Convite Solar initiative uses a community-led model based on standardized, modular systems installed through collective labor and local training. A pilot in Nizao has demonstrated success in reducing household bills and increasing resilience during blackouts. The model proposes redirecting a portion of the $2 billion annual government electricity subsidies toward equipment costs and cooperative financing to scale distributed generation across the Caribbean.

• The Dominican Republic's electricity sector is heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels, with coal, oil, and natural gas plants providing nearly 83% of generation, leaving the country vulnerable to global market volatility and energy insecurity.
• Rooftop solar adoption in the Dominican Republic is highly unequal, with approximately 4.5% of the population controlling nearly 97% of the installed capacity, as systems are primarily affordable only for wealthy households.
• Solar adoption by high-income households creates a fiscal paradox where utility revenues decline while government subsidy obligations remain fixed, increasing the financial burden on the state and low-income consumers.
• The Convite Solar model reduces costs and barriers for low- and middle-income households by utilizing standardized modular designs, bulk procurement, and community-led installation and maintenance guided by local experts.
• A pilot project in Nizao validated the technical and financial viability of the model, with participants reporting significant reductions in electricity bills and improved resilience during national blackouts.
• Scaling the model faces practical hurdles, including the high cost and logistical complexity of importing batteries, the need for electrical upgrades in many low-income homes, and the requirement for more seed capital for cooperatives.
• The document argues that the Dominican government could restructure its $2 billion annual electricity subsidies to fund rooftop solar equipment, training, and lower borrowing costs for local cooperatives.

APA

RMI (2026). Redefining Rooftop Solar Through Community Action. https://rmi.org/resources/redefining-rooftop-solar-through-community-action/

Chicago

RMI. Redefining Rooftop Solar Through Community Action. 2026. https://rmi.org/resources/redefining-rooftop-solar-through-community-action/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=RMI |title=Redefining Rooftop Solar Through Community Action |date=12 March 2026 |url=https://rmi.org/resources/redefining-rooftop-solar-through-community-action/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rmi2026redefining, author = {{RMI}}, title = {{Redefining Rooftop Solar Through Community Action}}, institution = {RMI}, year = {2026}, month = mar, url = {https://rmi.org/resources/redefining-rooftop-solar-through-community-action/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }