Workforce Development and Energy Sovereignty

Remote Energy is dedicated to bringing the highest quality PV training opportunities to under-served populations worldwide. Energy poverty is experienced in every country on earth, and for many of us, those in need are very close to home. The Energy Information Administration estimates that 14 percent of households on Native American reservations have no access to electricity, 10 times higher than the national average. On the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota 40 percent of the population lives without electricity, over 90 percent live below the poverty line, and the unemployment rate exceeds 80 percent. These are realities that Remote Energy is working to change. This spring, Remote Energy has worked with 4 indigenous tribes to help meet their solar training needs and strengthen their path to energy sovereignty. By inspiring Native American students, empowering technicians and developing the technical skills of PV instructors, Remote Energy is creating the next generation of PV professionals to bring electricity, jobs, and hope to tribal lands across America.

Gloria Red Cloud Demonstrated the operation of a solar ‘bucket light’ at the Red Cloud Renewable Energy Center

As a key partner in Remote Energy’s Native American programs, Red Cloud Renewable Energy (RCR) on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota has been working diligently to assist tribal members and communities to move towards energy independence through renewable energy training. Remote Energy, in cooperation with Solar Energy International (SEI), has been committed to developing the technical capacity of RCR’s Native American PV trainers and assisting with the design, development and construction of a new, hands-on PV training facility on the RCR campus. The new training center includes a mock-roof where students can practice installing residential, grid-tied PV systems. It also features a pole-mounted PV array which will feature a battery-based system, and a 22.5kW ground mounted array which provides electricity to the training center. This summer the first classes will be held at the new RCR solar training Lab and Remote Energy will co-teach with RCR’s team of Native American PV instructors.