A donation from a regional foundation will result in 200 kW of solar installed in tribal communities in San Diego County and Bishop, California. The Sempra Foundation has donated more than $350,000 to GRID Alternatives‘ Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund, which will result in arrays installed at single-family homes and apartment buildings in four reservations.
“Energy access is critical to empowering communities, reducing emissions and building an equitable future for all,” said Lisa Alexander, director and board chair of Sempra Foundation. “Access to cleaner and more reliable forms of energy makes sustainable development possible — and we are proud to support this work in tribal communities throughout California.”
Nationally, a disproportionate number of Native American households live in energy poverty, with 14.2% having no access to reliable energy — more than 10 times the national average. TSAF addresses barriers by building a renewable energy infrastructure that is cost-effective, engages broad tribal participation and builds climate resiliency.
“Solar energy and workforce training is critical to building energy sovereignty in tribal communities,” said Tanksi Clairmont, director of the Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund.
GRID Alternatives’ work to install solar projects in tribal communities typically reduces energy bills for households by 75-90%, savings that can be re-invested in other priorities.
“With this support, TSAF is catalyzing the leadership of our tribal partners in reaching their renewable energy goals,” said Adam Bad Wound, founder of the Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund.
This project is part of a broader commitment by Sempra Foundation to help improve lives and help build stronger, more resilient communities by expanding energy access. In September, Sempra Foundation and GRID Alternatives announced that they were working to install solar projects to help improve energy access for communities with environmental justice concerns in Mexico.
