Alex Honnold, best known for his free solo ascents, has become a prominent advocate for solar power through the Honnold Foundation. The foundation's work centers on solar projects that address climate concerns, promote equity, and have a direct human impact. Honnold believes that improving basic human needs, such as access to electricity, is crucial for broader environmental support.
"Nobody cares about the environment unless their basic needs are met," Honnold stated. "So if you're trying to protect the environment in a broad sense without protecting or improving the lives of human populations, you're facing an uphill battle."
Globally, at least 600 million people lack access to electricity. The Honnold Foundation aims to improve these lives by supporting solar initiatives that also decrease reliance on fossil fuels. Grants typically range from $50,000 to $150,000, with the foundation committing over $11 million to 75 solar projects in 2026 alone. In 2026, the foundation received over 1,200 applications from organizations seeking support.
Recent initiatives funded by the foundation include the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, which is installing solar lighting and power to combat illegal fishing and mangrove destruction. In Antigua and Barbuda, Integrated Health Outreach is using solar power to support a female-led beekeeping and honey-processing facility. On tribal land in Arizona, the Hopi Utilities Corporation is installing solar panels and battery storage to power groundwater pumps.
One notable project supported by the foundation is Kara Solar, which provides solar-powered boats to the Achuar people in Ecuador and Peru. This partnership, initiated in 2020, has facilitated commerce, healthcare, and education while reducing gasoline consumption. Building on early success, Kara Solar established a for-profit company in 2024 to manufacture electric motors for its boats, a development Honnold views as a key indicator of a project's long-term viability.
"That's the ultimate success for a project if it takes off beyond the philanthropic money," Honnold said. "And then the real success will be in 20 years if everyone's riding an electric boat."
Honnold views the transition away from fossil fuels as inevitable. While the Honnold Foundation does not directly fund policy advocacy, he noted that some supported projects highlight the need for solar incentives in regions with policies that have historically limited rooftop solar installations. Honnold expressed a personal inclination to fund projects in areas with what he described as "regressive, anti-solar states," seeing it as a form of defiance stemming from his background in rock climbing.