Tribal Program

Solar Spring Break 2020
GRID Alternatives’ Solar Spring Break (SSB) Program, sponsored by Wells Fargo, is a national alternative break program that creates opportunities for students to make a difference in low-income communities while getting hands-on training in renewable energy.

The Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund: Driving Impact on California’s North Coast
Founded in 2018, the Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund aims to catalyze the growth of solar energy and expand solar job opportunities in tribal communities across the United States. The fund awards grants for projects that clearly focus on building renewable energy infrastructure, particularly new solar energy projects in tribal communities, that are feasible, cost-effective, and engage broad tribal community participation. Six North Coast tribes had the honor of being awarded Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund grants in the 2019/2020 cycle, making a perfect partnership with GRID Alternatives North Coast, who has been on the ground installing solar in the region since 2011. Read on for 2019 project highlights.

Solar Power World -Multi-level solar policies can transform Native American energy mix in the Southwest and beyond

GRID Alternatives is dedicated to advancing solar in the Navajo Nation and throughout Indian Country through its National Tribal Program, established in 2010. The goal of the program is to inform tribes on the possibility of solar and then assist with implementation, from educating on net metering and how to work with utilities to construction safety and installation practices. GRID recruits community members to volunteer to build grid-tied solar projects on homes and community buildings on tribal lands.

Education Dive - Partnership of the Year: Grid Alternatives

GRID was recognized by the 2019 Dive Awards for our Solar Futures program. By partnering with tribal communities and schools serving native students, GRID is supporting learning in science, technology, engineering and math and introducing students who face significant barriers to opportunities in the growing solar industry. 

Partnership of the Year: GRID Alternatives
Kanyon Martinez, a member of the Bishop Paiute Tribe, was about to graduate from Bishop Union High School in Bishop, California, last year when he heard about an internship possibility with Grid Alternatives — a nonprofit organization that brings solar installations to low-income communities, including tribes.