How solar energy projects lower bills in Rio de Janeiro slums

Bibiana Angel, 39, owner of the hostel Eco Pousada Estrelas da Babilonia, on its roof covered by solar panels and overlooking Copacabana beach, at the Babilonia favela. Photo: Mauro Pimentel/AFP

In a hillside slum with breathtaking views of Rio de Janeiro's famed Copacabana beach, a rooftop covered in photovoltaic panels glitters in the tropical sun – one of many in Brazil's first favela solar energy project.

The solar panels on the roof of a community organisation in the Babilonia favela take one thing the impoverished neighborhood has in abundance – sunshine – and use it to lower electricity bills while expanding renewable power sources.