GRID Alternatives’ Tribal program provides solar technology and job training to indigenous tribal communities in rural areas who often experience power outages and downtime maintenance by helping them to meet their goals of becoming sustainable and more energy efficient.
The Chemehuevi Indian Reservation recently celebrated the installation of a 90 kW solar PV micro-grid carport system with modules from Sunpower tied to a 25 kW/125 kWh flow battery energy storage system. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in Havasu Lake, California on May 23 and was well attended by tribal elders, members and all of the partners who made this project possible including: the California Energy Commission, Southern California Edison, and University of California, Riverside as well as GRID staff and other special guests. The Chemehuevi Community Center is equipped with a backup generator and serves as a refuge to tribal members and residents during power outages. This micro-grid solar system and battery energy storage system will equip the Chemehuevi tribal community with enough energy it needs to help alleviate the issues relating to outages.
The California Energy Commission committed an investment of $4.4 million in additional microgrid projects in 2018 to focus on tribal and disadvantaged communities, which will help to fund future tribal projects such as this.
If you would like more information about our tribal program, please contact Lisa Castilone at 951.471.7047 or email tribal@gridalternatives.org.