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- By Chez Oxendine
- Energy | Environment
Six tribes in the Upper Midwest completed solar workforce development training in January through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's $7 billion Solar for All Program, marking the first tribal projects under the initiative that now faces federal funding uncertainty.
The workforce training, funded through the EPA’s Green House Gas Reduction Fund, paired California-based Indigenized Energy and South Dakota-based nonprofit Red Cloud Renewables to train roughly 30 people on the Chippewa Cree-Rocky Boy reservation in Montana, and the Oglala Sioux Pine Ridge reservation. All trainees identified as Indigenous, a milestone in an industry where Native Americans make up less than 1% of the solar workforce nationwide, according to a Jan. 30 announcement by Indigenized Energy.
Trainees came from the Chippewa Cree tribe, the Northern Arapaho tribe of Wyoming, the Northern Cheyenne tribe, the Oglala Sioux tribe, the Rosebud Sioux tribe, and the Yankton Sioux tribe. The tribes and training companies belong to the Tribal Renewable Energy Coalition (TREC), which received $135.5 million through Solar for All in 2024.
"The Solar for All kickoff project was a great opportunity for the Chippewa Cree Tribe and its community members," Chippewa Cree Tribal Chairman Harlan Baker said. "It showcased the new technology that will be coming to our homes. We, as a tribe, look forward to improving our energy independence and sustainability, as well as providing new employment opportunities to our people and increasing awareness and interest in a growing industry."
Cody Two-Bears, CEO for Indigenized Energy, said the training was crucial in preparing tribes for a clean energy transition. Two-Bears said the TREC project, which would provide similar workforce development training for all member tribes, will utilize both SfA funding and Indigenized Energy resources.
“It’s important to develop capacity,” Two-Bears said. “Workforce development plays a key role in what’s being put in these communities.”
Since completing the program in January, six trainees have started full-time positions in the solar industry, according to Indigenized Energy.
The training included two weeks of eight-hour days, ending with Solar for All-supported eight-kilowatt residential installations on both reservations. The systems include batteries to reduce energy bills and provide backup power during outages.
Workers learned technical information, including photovoltaic panel installation, tool competency and rooftop safety. The program received more than 100 applications for the 30 training positions.
The program's completion comes amid uncertainty over federal funding. On January 20, the Trump administration paused billions in federal grant funding for clean energy projects. While a federal judge ordered the funds unfrozen on February 10, much of the program remains on hold.
Red Cloud Renewables Development Officer John Red Cloud said the training prepared Natives to enter a growing industry. The program's completion comes as reports indicate Solar for All funding remains frozen, despite a federal court order to release the funds. The funding pause is part of broader EPA efforts to review and potentially claw back billions in clean energy grants, including $20 billion from two other GGRF programs announced by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.
“Solar technology…is more common now than at any other time in history. There are simply not enough [photovoltaic] installers right now to meet the solar deployment demand,” Red Cloud said. “Despite changes in climate change policy at the federal level, Americans continue to recognize the advantages of renewable energy for their budgets, the environment, and as a common sense solution for society.”
Red Cloud told Tribal Business News he remains optimistic despite the federal funding headwinds right now, citing a September 2024 Solar Energy Industries Association poll showing 87% of Americans and 78% of 2020 Trump voters support federal solar initiatives. The Indigenous renewable energy will continue with or without federal support, he said.
“We take comfort knowing that regardless of who occupies the White House, we must adapt to the evolving geopolitical climate as a grassroots nonprofit working on behalf of Indigenous communities around the country,” Red Cloud said. “We believe whole-heartedly that the world still needs our work product as trainers of the solar deployment workforce of tomorrow's energy future. We strongly believe our historic supporters and private sector philanthropy will answer the call to the chaos and mixed messaging coming from our nation's capital.”
