ENERGY
ENERGY
Renewable energy relies on the natural flows of wind, running water, sunshine, growing plants, and heat from the Earth, which are inherently inexhaustible. These forms of energy are only increasing in use as societies across the world recognize the catastrophic results and inherent lack of sustainability of extractive fossil fuel and nuclear energy development. The technologies available for saving energy and utilizing renewable sources are efficient, affordable, and deployable, and public opinion is strongly pushing electric utilities and governments to pursue 100% renewable energy planning agendas.
Renewable energy can be designed to serve a large range of Indigenous energy needs and circumstances. Solar panels, small wind turbines, and micro-hydroelectric systems with accompanying battery banks, can allow for rural electrification, bringing power to the most remote parts of the Nations. Larger scale renewable energy development and microgrid development can provide all of the energy needs of the Nation, while producing honorable, ethical, and well paying jobs, and also offer a potential income opportunity. Indigenous nations are actively pursuing energy efficiency and renewable energy development to strengthen the resilience of the Nations in the face of climate change, to become energy self-sufficient, to save money, and uphold our spiritual responsibilities to the land, our communities and families.
Even though renewable energy produces no pollution as it generates electricity, the manufacture of turbines, photovoltaic (solar electric) panels, batteries, and wiring is not benign, and requires the mining, or at the very least expensive recycling, of Earth’s minerals. Electricity production will always require the use of Earth’s minerals and other nonrenewable resources to manufacture the systems, so we should always plan on first reducing electricity use in every way
PARTS AND SUPPLIES FOR DIY INSTALLATIONS
Resource for Solar, Wind, and Microhydroelectric parts, consulting, installation
Resource for solar equipment including solar water pumps
Resource for micro-hydro supplies and information
U.S. BASED RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES
U.S. BASED RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES
FUNDING RESOURCES
Department of Energy Tribal Energy Program
Office of Indian Energy Education and Resources, Technical Assistance
Rural Energy for America Program Energy Audit & Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants
Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund – Grid Alternatives
NDN Collective: Granting Program and Investment Funding
Sustainable Capital Finance (Solar Power Purchase Agreements)
EDUCATION AND TRAINING RESOURCES
Indigenous Training Organizations:
Red Cloud Renewable Energy Center
Non-Indigenous Training Organizations:
Top Renewable energy training organization, covering solar electric, solar thermal, and micro-hydroelectricity
TRIBAL COLLEGES WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAMS
Fond Du Lac Tribal College, Minnesota
Program: Clean Energy Systems Technician
Program: Electric Utility Technology
Navajo Technical College, Arizona
Program: Energy Systems
Lac Courte Oreilles Community College, Wisconsin
Program: Renewable Energy
INDIGENOUS RENEWABLE ENERGY DESIGNERS/INSTALLERS
Solar thermal panel installation and construction
Photovoltaic design and installation for residential and commercial applications
CANADA BASED RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES
CANADA-BASED RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES
Map of Indigenous Energy Projects
TRAINING AND SUPPORT
The 20/20 Catalysts Program, providing the skills, tools, and resources to maximize the social and economic benefits their community gains through participation in clean energy projects.
Gridworks Solar and Electrical
Indigenous owned and operated solar electric and EV company specializing in commercial and residential applications. Certified training resource.
First Nations Infrastructure Institute
Development partner for water and other infrastructure
INDIGENOUS OWNED RENEWABLE ENERGY COMPANIES
Green Arrow (Montana First Nation)
Gridworks Solar and Electrical
Indigenous owned and operated solar electric and EV company specializing in commercial and residential applications. Certified training resource
INDIGENOUS PARTNERED RENEWABLE ENERGY COMPANIES
DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT
First Nations Power Authority (AB, SK)
Non-profit organization that facilitates First Nations-led power projects
INFORMATION AND IDEAS
Swiilawiid Sustainability Society
This is a small nonprofit organization on Haida Gwaii who is working to support renewable energy and energy efficiency use on Haida Gwaii. They have published an energy toolkit for their region and feature maps of projects, inspiring stories, and organizing information.
Nova Scotia Solar Energy Resources
Ideas for model affordable renewable energy development
Jurisdictional Review of the Regulation of Indigenous Utilities in Canada, July, 2019
Survey of British Columbia First Nation Renewable Energy Projects and Engagement
FUNDING
Northern REACHE Program - to implement renewable energy/energy efficiency projects in off-grid Indigenous and northern communities that rely on diesel and other fossil fuels to generate heat and power
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada First Nation Infrastructure Fund
Infrastructure Canada Small Communities Fund
Alberta Indigenous Solar Program (AISP)
Alberta Indigenous Energy Efficiency (Retrofit) Program (AIEERP)
B.C. Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative
List of IESO Indigenous related Funding Programs
Aboriginal Renewable Energy Fund (ON)
Business Development Bank of Canada: Aboriginal Banking
Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
Northern Affairs Canada Indigenous Innovation Demonstration Fund
The Aboriginal Banking Unit at Bank of Montreal
Project financing for solar farms. The program also offers on-reserve home renovation loans for folks who are looking to implement energy-efficiency upgrades. These loans can range from $5,000 to $25,000.
Stonebridge Financial Corporation
Stonebridge has offered project financing for many types of renewable energy developments (including solar), and it does so in ways that are project-specific. In general, the corporation offers limited or non-recourse financing that is repaid using the project’s profits. Its features include fixed and variable rate options and fixed long-term interest rates.
The corporation has offices in Toronto, Oakville, and Quebec, and it can be reached by phone in Toronto at 416-364-3001.
Nova Scotia Cooperative Council
The Nova Scotia Cooperative Council has a Renewable Energy Program that supports cooperatives that wish to finance renewable energy developments. If a cooperative is desired, business development officers throughout Nova Scotia can offer guidance around the program.