Expanding access to clean energy in Indigenous communities

tWhen we talk about injustice, we often think about what has been taken from communities: land, forests, water, or livelihoods.

But injustice can also take another form.

Sometimes, it means being denied access to opportunities that others take for granted.

Across Latin America, many Indigenous and rural communities still lack reliable access to electricity. Without it, families face higher costs, businesses struggle to grow, students have fewer opportunities to study, and healthcare services become harder to deliver.

This isn't simply an infrastructure gap. It's an issue of equity and access.

At the Reciprocity Fund, we invest in Indigenous-led and Indigenous-serving enterprises that help create lasting economic opportunities. Two of our newest borrowers--Albedo Solar and Soluz—are doing exactly that by expanding access to affordable, reliable clean energy across Central America.

​Albedo Solar

Based in Guatemala and operating across Central America, Albedo Solar helps small and medium-sized businesses reduce electricity costs through lease-to-own solar systems. By removing the barrier of high upfront costs, the company makes renewable energy accessible to farms, hotels, schools, clinics, and other businesses.

Albedo has a particular focus on Indigenous communities across Guatemala, helping Maya-owned and Indigenous-serving businesses lower operating costs, improve productivity, and strengthen local economies.

The Reciprocity Fund provided a $100,000 loan to finance additional solar installations for Indigenous-owned and Indigenous-serving businesses, allowing Albedo to reach more entrepreneurs and organizations that have historically faced limited access to financing.

​Soluz

For many rural communities in Honduras, reliable electricity remains out of reach. Soluz addresses this challenge by providing affordable solar energy systems to low-income households and small businesses through flexible financing.

In addition to household solar systems, the company offers larger installations and solar-powered equipment that help entrepreneurs preserve food, reduce operating costs, and increase income. Its work reaches Indigenous communities—including the Lenca, Pech, and Tolupán—as well as Afro-Honduran Garífuna communities.
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The Reciprocity Fund approved a $50,000 loan to support the purchase of additional solar inventory, enabling Soluz to expand access to clean energy in rural and underserved communities.

Access to electricity, financing, and basic infrastructure can shape what is possible for a family, a business, or an entire community. Through investments like these, we're proud to support entrepreneurs who are helping ensure that more Indigenous and rural communities have the opportunity to build the futures they choose for themselves.

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Interested in learning more about the enterprises we support? Visit our Who We Fund page to explore more Indigenous-led
​and Indigenous-serving businesses creating lasting impact.