Raquel Martinez

Brazilian engineer building renewable energy infrastructure in Amazon regions

Raquel Martinez (b. 1992) is a Brazilian electrical engineer whose solar energy initiatives have electrified 34 remote Amazonian communities. Her nonprofit Solar nas Florestas deploys floating solar arrays on rainforest rivers, combining hydrokinetic and photovoltaic energy systems. This MIT Clean Energy Prize winner developed smart grid technologies tailored for rainforest microclimates, reducing energy losses by 40%. Her 2020 paper "Hybrid Renewable Systems for Tropical Isolation" was cited in UN climate reports. Martinez also pioneered community-owned energy cooperatives, creating 1,500 green jobs. Recognized by Time Magazine's Next Generation Leaders, her work bridges indigenous knowledge with cutting-edge renewable technology.