Navajo Nation Solar Initiative

01/13/2025

Interested in learning more about solar and upleveling your skills in the solar industry? Fort Lewis College is offering two online photovoltaics courses ( PV101 & PV201) this upcoming Spring 2025 semester. Registration is currently open at https://gowork.fortlewis.edu

08/30/2024

Check our team member Camille Keith! Giving great recognition for her amazing work! 👏

Electricity has been widely available in the US for more than 1/2 a century, but on Navajo land 30% of families continue to live without it.

08/28/2024

DURANGO, Colo.— Camille Keith was a first-year Fort Lewis College student when she traveled to Nong Boat, Myanmar, in 2016 with the Village Aid...

06/10/2024

Exciting Weekend in Shonto, AZ! 🌞

This past weekend, the Navajo Nation Solar Initiative (NNSI) hosted an incredible hands-on training session with community members in Shonto, AZ. Those who received solar installations learned essential skills in system operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting. This knowledge is a valuable asset for the community by ensuring the longevity and efficiency of these solar systems.

At NNSI, we're deeply invested in the community's successful transition. We believe that everyone should have access to renewable energy, the knowledge to maintain it, and opportunities to strengthen our community bonds. Let's continue building a brighter, more sustainable future together! 🌍💡

06/01/2024

🌞 Empowering the Future: Fort Lewis College Students Bring Solar Power to the Navajo Nation!

We're excited to share an inspiring story about how Fort Lewis College students are making a significant impact by bringing solar power to the Navajo Nation. This initiative not only promotes sustainable energy but also empowers our communities by providing cleaner and more affordable energy solutions.

🌍 Why This Matters:
Sustainable energy projects like this one are crucial for the Navajo Nation as they help reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources, lower electricity costs, and support the fight against climate change. This initiative showcases the power of collaboration and the positive impact of solar energy on our communities.

📢 Join the Movement:
Be part of the change! Follow the Navajo Nation Solar Initiative for more updates on our projects and learn how you can get involved in creating a brighter, sustainable future for our Nation.

🔔 Follow Us: Stay updated with the latest news and projects by following the Navajo Nation Solar Initiative on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Let's harness the power of the sun together!

As Colorado's largest statewide, member-supported, multi-media network, Rocky Mountain PBS wants to make sure everyone is seen and heard.

05/20/2024

🌞 COME & LEARN ABOUT OFF-GRID RESIDENTIAL SOLAR🌞

Join us for a special community outreach Q&A session and learn about off-grid residential solar! This is a fantastic opportunity to come together as a community and explore sustainable energy solutions for the Navajo Nation. Discover how solar energy can bring clean, renewable energy to your homes in Shonto, AZ. The event will feature an info session, Q&A, and examples of off-grid solar systems.

📅 Sunday, June 09, 2024
📍 Shonto, AZ Chapter House
🕐 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Event Highlights:
- Meet the Team
- What is NNSI?
- What is Solar Energy?
- How can we Help?
- How can you Help?
- Informative Session
- Interactive Q&A
- Example of Off-grid Solar System

Come and connect with your neighbors, share your thoughts, and learn how we can work together to bring clean, renewable energy to the Navajo Nation. Let’s empower our community with solar energy and create a brighter future for Shonto, AZ!

For more information, please contact:
📞 505.226.5463
📧 [email protected]



We look forward to seeing you there!

05/12/2024

🌞🌻 Today, as we bask in the warmth of the sun and the love of our families, we want to take a moment to extend our deepest gratitude to all the incredible mothers out there. Your strength, wisdom, and boundless love enrich our lives in ways beyond measure.

To the mothers of the Navajo Nation and to all Native American mothers, we want to express our profound appreciation for the resilience and nurturing spirit you embody. Your connection to the land, your heritage, and your communities is a source of inspiration for us all. Thank you for passing down traditions, stories, and values that continue to shape the world around us.

And to all mothers, regardless of background or circumstance, we honor you today and every day. Your sacrifices, your unconditional love, and your unwavering support are the cornerstones of our families and our society. Thank you for the countless ways you nurture, guide, and uplift those around you.

On behalf of the women founders of the Navajo Nation Solar Initiative, we wish all mothers a Happy Mother's Day filled with love, joy, and appreciation. May your light shine as brightly as the sun, illuminating the lives of those you hold dear. 💖✨

04/03/2024

🌟 Join us for an electrifying event! 🌟

Discover the groundbreaking FLC Solar Initiative in the heart of the Navajo Nation with Engineering Professor Dr. Laurie Williams. Certified Solar Professional and visionary, Professor Dr. Williams will unveil the remarkable journey of bringing light to Navajo homes alongside her dedicated students.

📅 Date: April 4
🕖 Time: 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
📍 Location: Fort Lewis College
1000 Rim Drive Durango, CO 81301
Room 130, Noble Hall

Be prepared to be inspired as Professor Dr. Williams shares her firsthand experiences, from designing off-grid Photovoltaic (PV) solar systems to the profound impact on Tribal communities. This isn't just a lecture; it's a transformative journey into the heart of innovation and empowerment.

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn, engage, and be part of the solution! Mark your calendars and join us for an evening that promises to shine a light on the future of sustainable energy in the Navajo Nation. See you there! 🌞🌎

Link: https://www.fortlewis.edu/about-flc/leadership/professional-associates/life-long-learning-series/fbclid/iwar3dlc2nsyrqac5fc9yjfnojofr5p3pghz2ifntsvbnr7cerns_rw7nqgtu_aem_azr-xjhp4hdraixwuiepzymnzttf_f4m7ev1le4enikz49uekoqfaa_3llyppq_7ugk

04/03/2024

🌞☀️ Exciting News from NNSI!! ☀️🌞

We're thrilled to share the incredible progress made by the Navajo Nation Solar Initiative (NNSI) in partnership with Fort Lewis College (FLC) Village Aid Project (VAP) during Solar Spring Break 2024!

Over the past few years, NNSI has tirelessly worked to empower Navajo individuals & families by providing access to clean, renewable energy through solar. This mission has been fueled by community engagement, support gathering, & thorough assessments of solar needs.

This solar spring break, over 20 passionate individuals joined forces, including 5 dedicated faculty volunteers:

🔆 Dr. Laurie Williams, Professor, Department of Physics & Engineering, & the visionary founder of NNSI, along with her husband Roland Constable.
🔆 Carl Bickford - Lab Coordinator/Physics & Engineering.
🔆 Leah Hale - Grant Administrator, School of Arts & Sciences/Physics & Engineering.
🔆 Jon Smith - Coordinator, Teacher Licensure, & Dual Enrollment School of Education.

Additionally, four remarkable FLC alumni contributed their expertise:

🔆 Jessica Rupe - 2009 graduate in Business & Art.
🔆 Camille Keith - 2022 graduate in Engineering, 2023 GIS Certificate.
🔆 Martine Tsosie - 2020 graduate in Engineering, 2024 Marketing & Accounting.
🔆 Paul Kokes - 2021 graduate in Engineering.

Joined by enthusiastic engineering students & VAP volunteers, this dedicated team accomplished something truly remarkable:

In just four days, four off-grid solar installations were completed for Navajo Nation residences in and near Shonto, AZ, benefiting Curtis Greyeyes Sr, Lo**ta Smith, Billy Begay Sr, & Teddy (also an alumni) & Sally Kee. Notably, Bryan Kee oversaw the build for his parents.

These installations are life-changing, providing essential electricity for refrigerating medication, storing fresh foods, & illuminating their homes.

This collaborative effort represents a significant step forward in the journey towards energy independence & sustainability for Navajo Nation. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those involved and look forward to continuing this impactful work together! 🙌🌎

03/16/2024

Get Ready, Navajo Nation Shonto Community Members for Solar Spring Break, kicking off this Sunday, March 17th!

Over the past month, the Navajo Nation Solar Initiative and Fort Lewis College Village Aid Project engineering students have been working hard together in our truss and invertor workshops.

These workshops along with Solar Spring Break provide hands-on training to engineering students, which help prepare and execute our plans for the four off-grid solar installations in Shonto, AZ.

With the guidance, mentorship, support, and encouragement of the faculty and employees at Fort Lewis College, we can provide renewable energy for the community members of Shonto, AZ.

Thank you, Dr. Laurie Williams, Carl Bickford, Jason Wayner, and the rest of the staff in the machine shop for helping us in these workshops.

Ahéhee', Please share and follow!

03/13/2024

In 2023, in partnership with Fort Lewis College's Village Aid Program (VAP), FLC Alumni, FLC faculty, and local volunteers, our team installed two off-grid systems to test in Shonto, AZ.

During the build, the weather proved to be a bit challenging, but our team perseverance and still managed to enjoy their time surrounded by the beautiful landscape.

We look forward to this upcoming Solar Spring Break 2024, where we will be installing four systems, kicking off on March 18, 2024, in Shonto, AZ.

03/07/2024

Check out Ruben Sagado Escudero amazing solar portraits on Instagram!

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu6iZosA0kb/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Ahéhéé, Ruben!

Please share and follow!