Empowering people, communities, and businesses through solar education and training has been a key tenet of SEI since our founding in 1991. SEI’s Native American program works collaboratively with Native American communities to develop capacity in designing, training, and installing PV systems of all sizes. Below are examples of projects SEI has been invited to work with indigenous communities on.

SEI once again joins forces with Red Cloud Renewable Energy Center, this time for a year-long ‘Train the Trainer’ project. Our aim is to advance the solar skills of tribal members from across the 37 Great Plains Tribes. SEI and RCR will identify and train a select group of Native Americans that already have interest, experience, and some training in solar electric, and are motivated to pursue advanced PV training. By the end of the program, trainees will become Trainers, skilled to share their technical knowledge, and potentially propagate new solar infrastructure in multiple geographies and communities across the Northern Plains. Classes will take place at RCR and at SEI’s campus, as well as online. There will be support and opportunities for NABCEP certification, résumé building, and experiential learning through community projects. This project was made possible by generous support from All Points North Foundation.

SEI completed a 4-day training and installation class in collaboration with Lakota Solar Enterprise and Trees, Water & People. This 4-day training was hosted at the Red Cloud Renewable Energy Center in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Northern Cheyenne nation sent folks from their community to this training as part a larger effort to explore sustainable economic solutions to replace fossil fuel development on their lands. In addition to this aspect, the World Wildlife Federation, who has been integral in supporting the Northern Cheyenne in their efforts to stop the Otter Creek coal mine, was able to get this effort included in a feature film being made by Avi Lewis regarding global climate change effects on indigenous people around the world and the potential solutions being explored. SEI conducted a two day grid-tie class accompanied by two days installing a 1.4kW ground mounted system. Students were able to work on all aspects of the installation.

SEI partnered with Trees, Water & People and Lakota Solar Enterprise to host a week long workshop covering solar water pumping applications as well as the fundamentals of drip irrigation.  Expanding our partnership with these organizations, SEI spearheaded the design and installation of a solar water pumping system at the Henry Red Cloud Renewable Energy Training Center. This water pumping system will be utilized by the ‘Solar Warrior Farm.’

Want to learn more about how solar creates jobs, improves communities, and gives tribes an incredible asset? Check out the links!