In the small island of Limasawa, Philippines, recovery after Super Typhoon Odette in 2021 was a daunting challenge. The storm tore through the island, destroying homes, and crippling 90% of agriculture, fisheries, and infrastructures. Among the hardest hit was the Limasawa hybrid solar-diesel power plant, leaving many without electricity for months. Far-flung barangays (communities) like San Agustin, faced a prolonged blackout, making daily life even harder. Families resorted to expensive, polluting diesel generators to light their homes. 

Luckily, hope arrived from several Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) who donated small solar lamps to families after Typhoon Odette. Among such initiatives is a 200-watt solar charging system set up through the collaboration of local officials, volunteers from Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), and 350 Pacific. This system, installed at the San Agustin barangay hall, now powers the building and serves as a community charging station, allowing residents to charge essential devices for free. 

Volunteers called Solar scholars, who are also from climate-vulnerable regions and trained by ICSC, helped assemble the solar charging system and shared their knowledge with Limasawa locals. Now, residents have learned to maintain their own solar energy systems, helping their community recover. 

Limasawa’s story shows the power of renewable energy to rebuild and strengthen disaster-hit communities, offering a hopeful path toward climate resilience and energy independence.