Remote Energy
Remote Energy
Solar On the Go! Van Brings Mobile Labs to Tribes in the Pacific Northwest
A mobile solar training program that delivers hands-on education and workforce development at the doorstep of remote communities is helping Pacific Northwest Tribes advance their energy education goals. Despite recent significant cuts in federal funding for solar workforce programming and ongoing challenges faced by many tribal communities, Tribes across the region continue to lead innovative efforts to strengthen local workforce capacity, expand energy education opportunities, and build healthier, more sustainable futures for generations to come.
A grant from All Points North Foundation will support Remote Energy’s Solar On the Go! initiative to expand accessible, inclusive, and place-based workforce development of clean energy skills. Remote Energy will bring workforce training in solar PV to Tribes in the Pacific Northwest by deploying The Solar On the Go! Van. The van will be custom outfitted with solar panels and equipment, including battery storage that will simulate real-life solar PV systems. Culturally informed by insights with Tribal leaders, the project will open doors to solar career pathways, equip participants with transferable skills for other trades, and empower communities to advance their own sustainable energy solutions.
Outfitted with solar PV modules, the Solar On the Go! van will also house an inverter, charge controller, and batteries for scalable demonstrations, as well as stand-alone activity lab kits. Deploying hands-on training on-site will offset costs and transportation barriers, culminating in pilot training to select Tribal communities in Washington State.
As a community-centered mobile learning platform, the innovative lab aims to deepen understanding of solar energy applications, spark interest, and foster adoption of sustainable solar technologies and conservation practices to advance Tribal energy sovereignty. Many of these Indigenous Nations are in isolated regions, which makes access to these technologies very limited, particularly for youth and elders.
With over 100 years of combined solar education, workforce development, and training experience, Remote Energy credits much of its success to collaborative partnerships, which underpin the advancement of the community-led energy independence model that reaches Tribal learners from youth to Elders where they live, work and gather.
For more information: www.remoteenergy.org
Photo credit: Remote Energy
View Our Solar Energy Grantees
Click Here for All Points North Foundation’s Response to COVID-19
All Points North Foundation
All Points North Foundation provides grants for U.S.-based projects and initiatives that support our priorities: improving public middle school education and teacher training, and implementing effective solar programs and/or projects.
Have a U.S.-based project you’d like to discuss?