Tribal Program

While solar is already providing significant economic and environmental benefits for nearly two million households nationwide, the majority of Americans face physical or financial barriers to the traditional rooftop solar.

In an op-ed for the Farmington Daily Times, GRID's national Tribal Program director Tim Willink describes how community solar access will benefit tribal communities in New Mexico.

The $2 million project will be one of the primary projects of Grid Alternatives Tribal Program, and will be funded in part through the group’s Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund, drawing on $5 million pledged by Wells Fargo Foundation last year to be used over three years, according to Tim Willink, the director of Grid Alternatives Tribal Program in Denver.

“Wells Fargo has been serving American Indian and Alaska Native communities for more than 50 years,” said Jon Campbell, president of the Wells Fargo Foundation. “We believe it is important to support nonprofit and community organizations that empower tribal communities to determine their own way of life on their own lands — according to their time-honored cultures, traditions and beliefs — while also providing access to the tools and opportunities that can lead to financial success and well-being.”

GRID is partnering with the Spokane Tribe of Wellpinit, Washington to install 637 kilowatts of solar energy on 14 tribal buildings through the new Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund.

Wells Fargo’s donation will be received by GRID Alternatives and will support the founding of GRID’s new Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund, which is an extension of GRID’s National Tribal Program and will look to advance PV technology and expand solar job opportunities for individuals on tribal lands