Indigenized Energy Celebrates Solar for All Projects in Tribal Communities
In a groundbreaking initiative, Indigenized Energy has successfully completed the nation’s first Solar for All (SFA) kickoff projects in collaboration with the Chippewa Cree Tribe in Box Elder, Montana, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe in Porcupine and Pine Ridge, South Dakota. This milestone event marks a significant step toward empowering tribal communities through sustainable energy solutions and economic development.
The projects stemmed from a larger initiative by the Tribal Renewable Energy Coalition (TREC), which received a generous funding of $135.5 million from the EPA in 2024 specifically for Solar for All. What sets these kickoff projects apart is that the funding was exclusively sourced from Indigenized Energy, relieving participating tribes from any financial burden. This commitment ensures that all costs associated with the projects remain covered without passing on expenses to the tribes involved.
These initial projects are just the beginning of a comprehensive plan aimed at transforming solar energy accessibility in tribal lands. A crucial element of the initiative is the provision of quality, no-cost workforce training. The trainees involved receive compensation for their time, underscoring a commitment to enriching local talent development.
In an exciting collaboration, Indigenized Energy partnered with Red Cloud Renewable, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering solar workforce development. This partnership enabled the Oglala Sioux project to train participants across five different tribes, namely the Northern Arapaho Tribe of Wyoming, Northern Cheyenne Tribe, Oglala Sioux Tribe, RoseBud Sioux Tribe, and Yankton Sioux Tribe. Meanwhile, the Chippewa Cree Tribe saw 13 local trainees participating in their own SFA kickoff project, a move hailed by Tribal Chairman Harlan Baker as an important step towards enhancing energy independence and generating new employment opportunities.
As part of this initiative, Indigenized Energy experienced overwhelming interest from the community, receiving over 100 applications for around 30 available trainee positions, all of whom identified as Indigenous. This achievement is especially significant considering Native Americans currently represent less than 1% of the nation's solar workforce. The success of the kickoff projects was evident when six trainees secured full-time employment in the solar sector, demonstrating the initiative's potential to catalyze new career paths and stimulate economic growth.
Both the Chippewa Cree and Oglala Sioux projects include residential solar installations, each generating approximately 8kW of clean, low-cost electricity for participating households. The systems integrated home batteries to further enhance savings and provide resilience during power outages. Looking ahead, the subsequent round of SFA kickoff projects is slated for Spring 2025, contingent on favorable weather conditions, thus promising continued expansion of solar service in these communities.
Indigenized Energy stands firmly on a mission to develop innovative energy solutions that foster tribal autonomy, promote economic growth, and underscore environmental responsibility. Registered as a charitable corporation in North Dakota and supported by Mission Edge San Diego, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, their commitment to advancing clean energy initiatives is clear. For more information, visit Indigenized Energy.
The projects stemmed from a larger initiative by the Tribal Renewable Energy Coalition (TREC), which received a generous funding of $135.5 million from the EPA in 2024 specifically for Solar for All. What sets these kickoff projects apart is that the funding was exclusively sourced from Indigenized Energy, relieving participating tribes from any financial burden. This commitment ensures that all costs associated with the projects remain covered without passing on expenses to the tribes involved.
These initial projects are just the beginning of a comprehensive plan aimed at transforming solar energy accessibility in tribal lands. A crucial element of the initiative is the provision of quality, no-cost workforce training. The trainees involved receive compensation for their time, underscoring a commitment to enriching local talent development.
In an exciting collaboration, Indigenized Energy partnered with Red Cloud Renewable, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering solar workforce development. This partnership enabled the Oglala Sioux project to train participants across five different tribes, namely the Northern Arapaho Tribe of Wyoming, Northern Cheyenne Tribe, Oglala Sioux Tribe, RoseBud Sioux Tribe, and Yankton Sioux Tribe. Meanwhile, the Chippewa Cree Tribe saw 13 local trainees participating in their own SFA kickoff project, a move hailed by Tribal Chairman Harlan Baker as an important step towards enhancing energy independence and generating new employment opportunities.
As part of this initiative, Indigenized Energy experienced overwhelming interest from the community, receiving over 100 applications for around 30 available trainee positions, all of whom identified as Indigenous. This achievement is especially significant considering Native Americans currently represent less than 1% of the nation's solar workforce. The success of the kickoff projects was evident when six trainees secured full-time employment in the solar sector, demonstrating the initiative's potential to catalyze new career paths and stimulate economic growth.
Both the Chippewa Cree and Oglala Sioux projects include residential solar installations, each generating approximately 8kW of clean, low-cost electricity for participating households. The systems integrated home batteries to further enhance savings and provide resilience during power outages. Looking ahead, the subsequent round of SFA kickoff projects is slated for Spring 2025, contingent on favorable weather conditions, thus promising continued expansion of solar service in these communities.
Indigenized Energy stands firmly on a mission to develop innovative energy solutions that foster tribal autonomy, promote economic growth, and underscore environmental responsibility. Registered as a charitable corporation in North Dakota and supported by Mission Edge San Diego, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, their commitment to advancing clean energy initiatives is clear. For more information, visit Indigenized Energy.
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