Small and remote islands are subject to an array of energy challenges. As they are isolated from mainland power grids, many face difficulties balancing supply and demand. They tend to be heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels, which can lead to high costs and energy security risks. When Hurricane Fiona swept through the Caribbean in 2022, communities across Puerto Rico found themselves once again plunged into darkness. But in one small mountain town, the lights stayed on. In Adjuntas, a community-owned solar microgrid continued powering local businesses throughout the storm, offering a powerful glimpse into the future of island energy resilience.
For island nations around the world, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe, threatening fragile power grids and leaving communities vulnerable. Yet from the Caribbean to the Pacific, island communities are discovering that solar energy offers more than just clean power; it provides a pathway to true energy independence and climate resilience. These nations are proving that when it comes to building sustainable energy systems that can withstand nature’s worst, sometimes the smallest islands are leading the way with the biggest innovations.
Why Island Nations Face Unique Energy Challenges
Island nations confront a perfect storm of energy and climate vulnerabilities that make them among the world’s most at-risk communities. Electricity generation on islands can cost 10 times more than on mainland territories and countries. In 2021, island nations had the most expensive average cost of electricity in the world, creating economic burdens for residents and businesses alike.
Geographic isolation lies at the heart of these challenges. Unlike mainland communities that can tap into interconnected power grids spanning hundreds of miles, islands operate as isolated energy systems with limited backup options. When storms damage transmission lines or power plants, there’s nowhere else to draw electricity from. This isolation also makes importing fuel expensive. Every gallon of diesel or ton of coal has to be shipped across vast ocean distances, often at great cost and environmental risk.
SIDS have some of the highest electricity costs in the world, due in part to their dependence on imported fossil fuels. Traditional energy infrastructure on islands is vulnerable to extreme weather events. Sea level rise threatens coastal power plants, while hurricanes and typhoons can destroy transmission lines and leave communities without power for months. After Hurricane Maria in 2017, where the island’s power grid was fully restored after eleven months, non-profits are installing solar PV on community centers to create electricity supply in the case of a blackout.
Limited land availability compounds these challenges. On densely populated islands like Malta or small atolls in the Pacific, finding space for large-scale energy infrastructure becomes a balancing act between energy needs, housing, agriculture, and conservation. Despite limited resources and space for renewable energy infrastructure, SIDS aim to reach net zero ahead of 2050 by tapping into solar, wind and geothermal energy sources.
How Solar Energy Builds Resilience for Islands
Solar energy is emerging as the cornerstone of climate resilience strategies for island nations, offering solutions that address multiple vulnerabilities simultaneously. Unlike fossil fuel systems that depend on regular supply shipments, solar panels harness the sunshine that most tropical and subtropical islands enjoy year-round, creating local energy resources.
Energy Independence Through Local Generation
By harnessing renewable energy sources, these countries can mitigate GHG emissions, enhance energy security, and build resilience. Solar installations eliminate the need for fuel imports during supply disruptions: an advantage when storms block shipping lanes. When combined with battery storage, solar systems can maintain power for days or weeks without any external inputs.
Distributed Resilience
Distributed energy resources or small-scale energy resources that are usually situated near sites of electricity use like as rooftop solar could play an important role in boosting the deployment of renewables on islands, increasing the security and affordability of power systems while accelerating decarbonisation. Rather than relying on a few large power plants, islands can deploy hundreds or thousands of smaller solar installations across rooftops, schools, businesses, and community centers. This distributed approach means that damage to one part of the system doesn’t compromise the entire network.
Rapid Deployment and Recovery
Solar systems can be installed much faster than traditional power infrastructure, making them ideal for post-disaster recovery. Meanwhile, about 120 solar microgrids installed at Puerto Rico schools in 83 municipalities by Red Cross, Direct Relief and Blue Planet Energy are 100% operational and are providing shelter, food, drinking water and medical aid to communities across the island, demonstrating how quickly solar can restore essential services.
Economic Benefits Beyond Energy
The transition to solar creates local jobs in installation, maintenance, and system management while keeping energy dollars circulating within island economies rather than flowing to fuel importers. All in all, solar power contributes to energy self-sufficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthening resilience against disasters in the Pacific Islands.
Islands Leading the Solar Revolution
Across the globe, island nations are implementing solar solutions that serve as models for climate resilience. These success stories demonstrate how creative financing, community engagement, and technological innovation can overcome the challenges islands face.
Innovation Born from Necessity
Barbados: Digital Solar Revolution
Barbados has revolutionized solar access through programs like CloudSolar, an online marketplace for digital solar panels. This platform enables clients to own solar panels in a community of solar installations, removing the barriers and hassles associated with physically installed Solar PV systems.
Over the last six years, CloudSolar has built four megawatts of rooftop solar across ten sites around the island and commissioned the largest single independent power producer to date—a 1.28-megawatt plant in St. John.
This approach allows renters and those without suitable roofs to participate in solar energy ownership. CloudSolar also operates the largest online community solar platform in Barbados, with more than 500 Barbadians using the service and earning an average return of eight to ten percent on their solar investment. The program is a key contributor to Barbados’ goal of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2030.
Puerto Rico: Community-Led Microgrids
Puerto Rico’s experience with Hurricane Maria transformed how communities think about energy resilience. The Casa Pueblo environmental group had equipped its Adjuntas headquarters with solar panels and storage batteries, a model of green self-sufficiency that inspired the organization to launch a pioneering community-run microgrid in the town.
With 350 residential and service buildings already running on solar and the town center set to be powered by two microgrids, Adjuntas has become a model for how a community can transition to solar power. The community-owned approach has proven its worth: The storm caused an island-wide power outage, but batteries storing solar energy generated from about 120 rooftop solar panels in the town kicked in and provided electricity to five businesses including food shops and two homes.
Island-Scale Transformation
Hawaii: Pathway to 100% Renewable Energy
Hawaii has set one of the world’s most ambitious renewable energy goals, mandating 100% renewable electricity by 2045. Solar energy is currently the largest source of renewable energy in Hawaii, and as of 2015 Hawaii led the United States in installed solar capacity per capita. The state’s approach combines utility-scale projects with innovative microgrid technologies.
Kaua’i has a peak power demand of about 80MW for its approximately 70,000 residents and 30,000 visitors at any given time. In 2023, renewable energy accounted for about 60% of the energy produced on Kaua’i and the Kaua’i Island Utility Company routinely operates at 100% renewables for several hours a day.
Fiji: Rural Electrification Through Solar
Fiji has launched a rural electrification program targeting communities without grid access. Through the FREF program, the Fijian government aims to electrify these areas without access to electricity, and to replace over 2,500 diesel village community generators. The program uses a innovative revolving fund structure where affordable monthly tariff payments for rural communities, combined with grant financing received from development and donor partners, are placed into a trust fund and used to electrify additional rural communities throughout Fiji.
47 households of Vio Island now have access to a reliable source of electricity after Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama launched Phase 2 of the Fijian Rural Electrification Fund Program by switching on the pilot solar microgrid on the Island near Lautoka. This project demonstrates how solar microgrids can serve as the foundation for rural development and improved quality of life.
Tonga: Grid Stability Through Storage
This project aims to help Tonga move away from fossil fuels and shift to renewables. The project will deliver utility-scale storage systems to provide base load response and grid stability, paving the way for more renewable energy integration in the main island, while green mini-grids will be installed in the outer islands. Tonga’s approach shows how battery storage can solve the intermittency challenges that have historically limited solar adoption on island grids.
Mediterranean Models
Malta and Cyprus: Overcoming Space Constraints
Despite abundant sunshine, Mediterranean islands face challenges. Cyprus receives more than 3 300 hours of sunlight per year, which makes it an ideal place to harness solar energy. Yet, it still imports most of its energy, in the form of fossil fuels. Both nations have developed innovative solutions for dense populations and limited space.
Power generation from photovoltaic (PV) solar cells is increasing in Malta, with total kWp (kilowatt peak) capacity growing by 16.9% from 2017 to 2018. Domestic rooftop installations account for the overwhelming majority of PV installations, and hold 52.1% of total kWp capacity. Malta has also pioneered floating solar installations and is targeting underutilized spaces like disused quarries and car parks for larger installations.
Innovative Solar Technologies for Island Applications
Island environments have spurred innovation in solar technology, driving the development of solutions designed for challenging conditions and limited space.
Floating Solar
For islands with limited land but calm water areas, floating solar installations offer an elegant solution. These systems preserve valuable land for other uses and benefit from the cooling effect of water, which can increase panel efficiency by 10-15% compared to land-based installations. Malta has been experimenting with floating offshore solar farms to address land constraints while taking advantage of protected harbors.
Microgrids and Advanced Battery Storage
Microgrids, or decentralised energy systems that can be isolated from the main grid because they have their own sources and loads, and Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) – network technologies are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Modern battery systems can store multiple days worth of power, ensuring continuity even during extended periods of cloudy weather or following storm damage.
Smart Grid Integration for Maximum Efficiency
Islands are becoming testing grounds for smart grid technologies that can automatically balance variable solar generation with fluctuating demand. These systems can predict weather patterns, adjust energy usage in real-time, and switch between grid-connected and island modes during emergencies.
Hybrid Renewable Systems
Many islands are combining solar with wind, small-scale hydroelectric, and even ocean energy systems to create diverse renewable portfolios. The proposed project will demonstrate hybrid renewable energy model, combining mini hydropower, solar photovoltaic based mini-grid system, and battery energy storage system to supply stable clean electricity in rural Fiji.
Community Solar Programs
Innovative financing models like Barbados’ CloudSolar platform and Hawaii’s community solar programs allow residents to benefit from solar energy even if they can’t install panels on their own property. These programs are valuable on islands where many residents live in apartments or have roofs unsuitable for solar installation.
The Future of Island Solar Resilience
Island nations are emerging as global leaders in demonstrating what’s possible when communities fully commit to renewable energy transitions. Pacific small island developing states have committed to achieving net zero by 2050 and 100% renewable energy targets. For example, Fiji, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands have a 100% renewable energy transition target by 2030.
Technology Advancement and Cost Reduction
The cumulative installed RE capacity increased from 2014 to 2023, rising from 3.7 GW to 8.76 GW. Solar energy exhibited a remarkable increase, growing from 0.1 GW in 2014 to 4.2 GW in 2023. As technology continues to improve and costs decline, even the smallest island communities will have access to reliable solar solutions.
Integration with Broader Climate Adaptation
Solar energy is being integrated with other climate adaptation measures. Elevated solar installations can serve as flood barriers, while solar-powered desalination plants can provide fresh water during droughts. Community solar installations are being designed as emergency shelters and communication centers.
Knowledge Sharing and Replication
Platforms for exchanging knowledge and best practices can also accelerate clean energy transitions on small islands, creating opportunities to replicate renewable projects that have been successful under similar circumstances elsewhere. Success stories from places like Adjuntas, Barbados, and Kauai are being studied and adapted by island communities worldwide.
Regional Cooperation and Scaling
Island nations are working together through regional organizations to share expertise, bulk purchase equipment, and coordinate financing. For island nations, regional forums and networks provide access to a bigger market, which can also create new avenues for attracting private sector partners and reducing costs through economies of scale.
Energy Independence Through Solar Innovation
Island nations worldwide are proving that the challenges of climate change and energy security can become catalysts for innovation and resilience. From Puerto Rico’s community microgrids to Fiji’s rural electrification programs, from Barbados’ digital solar marketplace to Hawaii’s ambitious renewable mandates, islands are demonstrating that solar energy offers more than just clean electricity—it provides a pathway to true energy independence.
As climate change affects the very existence of some small island nations, they also have the most to gain from accelerating the adoption of affordable renewable energy. Doing so can help them build resilience to climate shocks, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and lower the costs of importing fossil fuels.
The lessons emerging from these island laboratories are relevant for mainland communities facing their own climate and energy challenges. Islands are showing that with the right technology, financing, and community engagement, it’s possible to build energy systems that are cleaner, more affordable, and more reliable than what came before.
For homeowners and businesses everywhere, the island experience with solar energy offers valuable insights into the benefits of energy independence. Just as islands are reducing their vulnerability to supply disruptions and price volatility through solar adoption, mainland communities can achieve greater energy security and cost savings through distributed solar systems.
At 8MSolar, we understand that every community—whether on an island or mainland—deserves access to reliable, affordable, and clean energy. The innovative approaches pioneered by island nations around the world inspire our commitment to helping North Carolina residents achieve their own energy independence through expertly designed and installed solar solutions. By learning from the boldest renewable energy pioneers on Earth, we can help you build a more sustainable energy future for your home or business.
The future of energy is being written on islands around the world, one solar panel at a time. Their success stories light the way forward for all of us seeking energy freedom, climate resilience, and a sustainable tomorrow.