The Fiji Solar Scholars, a group of community leaders trained in basic solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, put their lessons into practice by installing a new solar PV system at the Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) in Suva. The new solar PV system will provide the Fiji Council of Social Services with free, renewable energy to power appliances in the case of a power outage, as well as financial relief from high electricity bills. Distributed solar energy has the potential to address the high cost of living, energy poverty, and disaster response needs. The Fiji Solar Scholars were part of a group of 14 participants from Fiji, Vanuatu and Tuvalu trained in May 2026 by 350.org Pacific and the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), to plan, install and manage a basic solar PV system. The cohort installed two similar solar PV systems in Yavulo Kindergarten, Sigatoka and the Fiji Council of Social Services Western Office in Lautoka earlier this year.