Impact Spotlight
10,000 kW of solar for Tribal communities across the Southwest
Piloting revenue-generating community solar projects while decreasing energy burdens in Tribal communities
Developing workforce opportunities for Native youth for jobs in the solar energy sector
About
The Pueblo people and Southwest Tribes have a rich history of traditional agriculture and farming practices, deeply rooted in their cultural heritage and relationship with the land. Utilizing techniques such as dryland farming, these communities have successfully cultivated crops like corn, beans, and squash, often referred to as the "Three Sisters," which are essential to their diets and spiritual practices. These methods have been passed down through generations, emphasizing sustainability, biodiversity, and harmony with the natural environment. Agrivoltaics, the integration of solar panels with agricultural activities, aligns culturally with these traditional practices by promoting land stewardship and sustainable resource use.
Sovereign Energy is led by Native women, deeply rooted in the communities they serve. The organization is composed of an entirely Indigenous team and board of directors from the Tribes they support, underscoring their commitment to community engagement at every level. In response to generations of extractivism, Sovereign Energy is fostering collaboration among Tribal governance, Native farmers, organizations, and advocates to pioneer a revenue-driving agrivoltaics and dual land use model. When finished, the project will honor traditional Native agriculture, address water scarcity and drought, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and promote Tribal energy sovereignty.
“Integrating traditional agricultural practices with modern renewable energy solutions like agrivoltaics is vital for preserving our cultural heritage while advancing toward a sustainable future. This project empowers our communities by fostering self-sufficiency and environmental stewardship, ensuring that our ancestral knowledge thrives alongside technological innovation.”
HF Partnership
Supported by the Honnold Foundation, Sovereign Energy is developing a 10,000 kW community solar array used both for agrivoltaic solutions and community energy access. The first phase of this project will launch a pilot initiative that utilizes a community solar array to support economic development, traditional Indigenous knowledge, and Indigenous leadership in solar energy development. This project leverages traditional Native agricultural practices to create a sustainable model that provides economic benefits, enhances environmental health, and promotes Indigenous leadership in the renewable energy sector.
In the News
