OAKLAND, CA; October 10, 2023 – The Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund (TSAF) is proud to announce the 2023 tribal grantees who will receive funding and support for solar energy projects in tribal communities across the United States. TSAF, as part of GRID Alternatives, is committed to advancing solar energy adoption and sustainability in Native American and Alaskan Native communities.
The selected tribal grantees represent a diverse group of tribes from various regions, each with their unique vision for implementing solar energy projects that will not only reduce energy costs but also contribute to the overall sustainability and self-reliance of their communities.
Tanksi Clairmont, TSAF Managing Director, expressed their sentiment about the selected grantees, stating, "We are honored to work with tribes, tribal leaders and their communities to accelerate the adoption of solar energy. These projects will not only create jobs and reduce energy costs but also enable tribal nations to harness the power of renewable energy and reduce their carbon footprint."
The 20 tribal grantees include:
FACILITY/RESIDENTIAL
Bad River Band of Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians - Wisconsin
Elko Band Council - Nevada
Healy Lake Village Council - Alaska
Klamath Tribes Economic Development Corporation - Oregon
Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians - Wisconsin
Pueblo of Santa Ana/Tamaya Wellness Program - New Mexico
SAGE Development Authority - North Dakota
United Tribes Technical College - North Dakota
Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians - California
Hopland Band of Pomo Indians - California
Pauma Band of Luiseno Mission Indians of the Pauma & Yuima Reservation - California
GAP Fund
Oglala Lakota Housing Authority - South Dakota
Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians - Wisconsin
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe - Minnesota
PLANNING
Tebughna Foundation - Alaska
The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs - Oregon
Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma - Oklahoma
Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma - Oklahoma
Eklutna Tribal Conservation District - Alaska
San Ildefonso Services, LLC - New Mexico
These projects range from solar installations on tribal government buildings to community solar that will provide clean energy to tribal members. The impact of these initiatives extends beyond reducing energy costs; it empowers tribal communities to take control of their energy future and strengthen their economic and environmental resilience.
The Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund is grateful for the support of its partner organizations, donors, and stakeholders who have made these grants possible. Together, we are taking meaningful steps towards a more sustainable and equitable future for tribal nations across the United States.
For more information about the Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund and its grantees, please visit www.tribalsolar.org.
About the Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund
GRID Alternatives’ Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund was launched in 2018 and is entering its fifth year of grantmaking to tribes and tribal individuals for renewable energy projects, fellowships, internships, and scholarship programs. The fund is an extension of GRID’s national Tribal Program and aims to catalyze the growth of solar energy and expand solar job opportunities in tribal communities. In addition to supporting GRID’s work helping tribes build renewable energy capacity, resilience, and energy sovereignty, the fund provides grants for tribal solar projects on an application basis. For more information, visit www.tribalsolar.org.
About GRID Alternatives
GRID Alternatives is a national leader in making clean, affordable solar power and solar jobs accessible to low-income communities and communities of color. Using a unique, people-first model, GRID develops and implements solar projects that serve qualifying households and affordable housing providers, while providing hands-on job training. GRID has installed solar for more than 22,000 families to-date and helped households and housing providers save $599 million in lifetime electricity costs, while training over 32,000 people. GRID Alternatives has nine regional offices and affiliates serving California, Colorado, the mid-Atlantic region, and Tribal communities nationwide, and serves communities in Nicaragua, Nepal and Mexico. For more information, visit www.gridalternatives.org.
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