$1.5 Million Grant awarded to Red Cloud Renewable to Increase Native American Women in Solar Energy Sector

In a significant move towards achieving clean energy goals and promoting economic growth, the Biden administration has granted $1.5 million to the solar energy NGO Red Cloud Renewable in Pine Ridge. The funding aims to improve the representation of Native American women in the solar industry and is part of the government's "Investing in America" plan, which seeks to transition the nation's electrical grid to 100% clean energy by 2035.

The grant awarded to Red Cloud Renewable is one of twelve similar investments totaling $13.5 million distributed across the country. The initiative aligns with the administration's broader vision of fostering national economic expansion while transitioning to a clean energy future.

According to the 2022 U.S. Energy and Employment Report, Indigenous workers make up only 1% of the 330,000-strong solar energy workforce nationwide, with Indigenous women representing a small fraction of that figure. Recognizing the need for greater representation, the Department of Energy projects that the solar energy sector will employ between 500,000 and 1.5 million people by 2035 to meet decarbonization objectives.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm emphasized the impact of President Biden's agenda, stating, "President Biden's Investing in America agenda is accelerating the clean energy transition, resulting in the creation of hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs and boosting our growing clean energy economy."

Red Cloud Renewable, under the leadership of John Red Cloud, has been actively working to create job opportunities for Native Americans in South Dakota and nationwide. The organization's training program focuses on preparing students for careers in the solar industry or for starting their own enterprises. Since its establishment in 2008, the program has successfully installed over 1,000 solar systems and solar air heaters, offering hands-on instruction in various solar installation techniques.

Entry-level solar employees can earn up to $28 per hour, amounting to approximately $60,000 annually, depending on their expertise. Red Cloud emphasized the increasing demand for skilled workers in the industry, stating that "companies are screaming for workers."

The initiative by Red Cloud Renewable not only provides economic opportunities but also holds cultural significance for Indigenous people. Red Cloud's vision is rooted in the spiritual connection Native Americans have with the sun, honoring traditional ways while promoting self-sufficiency. By integrating solar technology, the program pays tribute to the life-giving power of the sun.

Red Cloud Renewable has trained over 1,200 students and collaborated with more than 70 Indigenous nations since its inception. With the recent grant, Red Cloud hopes to scale up the program and replicate it on many reserves across the country. The funding will support the establishment of a mobile lab and the provision of family-friendly facilities, including on-site child care at the training center, aiming to increase the proportion of Native American women working in the solar industry.

Red Cloud expressed his optimism, stating, "Let's scatter solar over the land. Let's assist the country in achieving those carbon reduction targets. That's what we're doing, and Pine Ridge seems like a good place to give that example, in our opinion. Anything is possible everywhere if it can be done on Pine Ridge."

As the nation strives to meet its clean energy goals, initiatives like the one undertaken by Red Cloud Renewable demonstrate the importance of inclusive workforce development and the positive impact of renewable energy on both the environment and communities.