Tribal Program

This written piece, accompanied by photos, highlights the partnership between the Ute Mountain Ute tribe and GRID Alternatives Colorado. which is helping the tribe move towards energy sovereignty with a large-scale solar array project. The project includes 3,500 solar panels that will offset about 1,515 tons of greenhouse gas emissions by year one.

Funding for new tribal facility and residential solar energy projects, including matching funds for Department of Energy grants, will help further tribal energy security and resilience, workforce training and build tribal energy sovereignty. TSAF received more than 40 applications totaling over $7 million in requests for tribal solar projects from dozens of applicants, demonstrating the need and excitement for renewable energy technology and workforce development in tribal communities.

Native American tribes have a long history of energy exploitation, especially with extractive industries like coal and petroleum, which has created fossil fuel-dependent economies. As the clean energy transition has accelerated, many tribes are turning to renewables to strengthen their communities and economies while cutting energy costs.

“CSD is excited to have the opportunity to pilot new program models like community solar to help ensure that the investment the state is making to fight climate change continues to benefit all Californians,” CSD Director Linné Stout said. “The innovative projects that are being funded under the Community Solar Pilot Program will deliver financial savings to low-income households that otherwise can’t be served by existing solar programs, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

While federal funding has helped tribal communities start accessing clean energy, a new approach combining public and philanthropic funds with nonprofit management and industry expertise could catalyze solar energy’s potential to create a brighter future for tribal communities facing energy insecurity and high unemployment.