Haiti Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé has announced the elimination of taxes on solar panels and batteries as part of the government’s efforts to promote renewable energy and support Haiti’s environmental and economic development.
The announcement was made during a ceremony marking World Environment Day on June 5 at the Karibe Hotel in Port-au-Prince. The event, organized by the Ministry of the Environment, was held under the theme, “Green Jobs Serving a Sustainable Haiti.”
The prime minister said the measure reflects the government’s commitment to accelerating the country’s energy transition while fostering a greener and more inclusive economy.
According to Fils-Aimé, removing taxes on solar panels and batteries will make renewable energy technologies more accessible to households, businesses and institutions, reducing reliance on traditional energy sources.
The event brought together several cabinet ministers, including Environment Minister Valéry Fils-Aimé, Planning Minister Sandra Paulemon, Agriculture Minister Marcelin Aubourg, Commerce Minister James Monazard, Foreign Affairs Minister Raina Forbin, Health Minister Bertrand Sinal and Public Works Minister Joseph Almathe Pierre-Louis, along with representatives from development organizations, schools and youth groups.
Valéry Fils-Aimé highlighted the role of young people in addressing Haiti’s environmental challenges and outlined several initiatives undertaken by the ministry, including sanitation projects, ecosystem restoration efforts, environmental education programs and climate change mitigation activities.
He also pointed to the launch of the “Konbit Ayiti Zewo Dechè” initiative and reported that more than 60,000 cubic meters of waste have been removed from communities across the country as part of government cleanup efforts.
During the ceremony, the prime minister toured exhibits featuring environmental innovations and projects presented by government agencies, private companies and artisans. Displays focused on recycling, waste management, biodiversity conservation, renewable energy and circular economy practices.
Planning Minister Sandra Paulemon warned that Haiti continues to face serious environmental pressures, including deforestation, watershed degradation, river pollution, waste accumulation and climate-related disasters such as hurricanes, floods, droughts and landslides.
“The environment is a matter of survival,” Paulemon said. “It is the land we cultivate, the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the legacy we will leave to our children.”
She also emphasized the potential of green jobs to drive economic and social development, citing opportunities in reforestation, sanitation, waste management, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, ecotourism and green infrastructure.
Despite the country’s environmental challenges, Paulemon expressed optimism about Haiti’s future.
“I refuse to believe that Haiti’s destiny is one of decline, vulnerability, or resignation,” she said. “I believe in the Haitian people’s capacity to transform difficulties into opportunities, challenges into solutions, and crises into new beginnings.”
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