Projects
- Aid Pioneers
- AROH Foundation
- Ashden
- AVSI
- Bala Vikasa
- Banco dell'Energia
- COREDA
- Dream Renewables
- Ecoclub
- EcoSwell
- EducAid
- Empower Malawi
- Etifor
- Frutti dell'Albero
- Helios Renewable Energy Foundation
- Humanitas
- Istituto Oikos
- Jana Vikasa
- Lebanon
- Mwezi Foundation
- Myanmar 2025 Earthquake
- PRO.SA
- SolarAid
- Soleterre
- Solvatten
- Sopowerful Foundation
- SSCh
- Vita Impact
Location: Italy
Banco dell’Energia is a non-profit organisation which works to support those in need socially and economically by both developing and supporting projects in collaboration with Fondazione Cariplo, a philanthropic organisation with a 25-year track-record. Founded in 2016, the work undertaken by Banco dell’Energia has thus far helped over 10,000 people through two editions of the ‘Let’s Donate Energy’ programme in collaboration with Fondazione Cariplo.
NextEnergy Foundation contributed to Banco dell’Energia’s project, Energia in Periferia (Energy in Periphery) in 2021-22. The project supported 104 households and individuals in vulnerable socio-economic situations in the periphery of Milan, specifically the area of Quarto Oggiaro, and in particular those adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In collaboration with Caritas and the Municipality of Milan, short- and long-term energy-related interventions were carried out. The short-term intervention involved paying 270 energy bills for the households. This was supplemented by a longer-term workstream undertaken with 81 representatives from across the households to breakdown their electricity usage and educate them on energy conservation so as to reduce energy bills in future. The majority of the attendees were elderly individuals and parents with young children. A third component of the project was to distribute LED lightbulbs to each family to maximise energy efficiency. This was carried out in partnership with Signify-Philips.
Location: Italy
NextEnergy Foundation has been working with Banco dell’Energia to alleviate fuel poverty in Italy since 2021. The Foundation contributed to Banco dell’Energia’s project, Energia in Periferia (Energy in Periphery) to support struggling households in the periphery of Milan, specifically the area of Quarto Oggiaro, following the knock-on effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. More details about the project are here.
This year, NextEnergy Foundation is renewing its partnership with Banco dell’Energia. Together with La Rotonda, which NEF also supported during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are establishing a community energy development on La Rotonda’s head office and community centre in Baranzate, Milan, Italy.
An 83.6kWp rooftop solar PV system is being installed and up to 80 households will be connected to it. The installation will be undertaken by 3E. Alongside the generation of clean, sustainable energy and the reduction of electricity bills for connected households, La Rotonda and Banco dell’Energia will carry out educational sessions for the local community on energy usage and conservation so as to reduce energy bills in future.
We will monitor the project for two years following the installation completion and begin reporting on the positive socio-economic and environmental impacts this year.
April 2024 Updates – Completion of the solar panels installation and inauguration of SOL – SOLARI E SOLIDALI in Baranzate, Milan, the Renewable Energy Community aimed at fighting fuel poverty of families in the area. Thanks to Gianluca Boccanera from NextEnergy Group for developing the project in collaboration with Banco dell’Energia, La Rotonda and Fondazione AEM.
May 2024 Updates – The system became operational at the end of March and since then, it produced 86 kWh, resulting in a reduction of CO2 emissions by 3.45 tons.
The Solidarity Community of Renewable Energy (CER) has begun to gather members, that are currently 20. In the coming months, these members will have the opportunity to have a consumption meter installed in their homes.
The CER has been officially connected to the National Grid and by the end of the first year of operation, SOL will be able to evaluate the revenues from the sale of energy and the energy sharing with the members.
October 2024 Update – The Baranzate Renewable Energy Community (CER) received approval from the National Energy Services Manager (GSE) in September 2024. Since then, the sale of energy has generated approximately GBP 1,500.
The selection process for 40 households to be supported with the initial revenues from the sale of electricity is currently underway. This selection is being conducted in collaboration with La Rotonda, the Municipality of Baranzate, and the Parish of Sant’Arialdo.
La Rotonda estimates that the system has reduced CO2 emissions by 24 tonnes since its installation.
June 2025 Updates – Fondazione La Rotonda ETS, outlines a period of significant consolidation and social impact for SOL – Solari e Solidali. Over the past months, the association has strengthened its organizational structure and deepened its support for vulnerable households facing housing-related challenges.
A key milestone was the first general assembly of the association, which marked the completion of the first full year of the CER. The results were encouraging:
- 17 points of delivery were connected
- nearly 67,000 kWh of clean energy were generated by the solar plant
- 29 tons of CO₂ were avoided – equivalent to planting 580 trees.
Members of the community expressed strong satisfaction with these outcomes and the financial positive balance. In parallel, the project continued to refine its approach to identifying and assisting families in precarious housing situations – those struggling with rent, mortgages, utility bills, or other forms of debt.
September 2025 Updates – The initiative continues to make significant progress. Not only has it reduced the energy consumption of Fondazione La Rotonda ETS—powering both the Community Solidarity Market (Emporio della Solidarietà) and the foundation’s facilities with clean energy—but it is now also generating revenue from energy sales and incentives. These proceeds are dedicated to supporting families in need within the local community.
Key results from the first six months of the solar system’s operation include:
- 21 households and 2 community centres were connected
- 134.43 MWh of clean energy were generated
- 53.77 tonnes of CO₂ were avoided
- a reserve has been established from the management surplus to further support families facing hardship
Looking ahead, the main priorities will be to increase the number of prosumer members by encouraging more households to actively participate in both the production and consumption of renewable energy within the community. Additionally, the project aims to achieve a 30% increase in the amount of energy shared among members, further amplifying the environmental and social benefits for all involved.