Plateau Solar Project (by http://www.marksnyderelectric.com/) is the first comprehensive and clean energy solution in Indian country bringing solar electricity, water, sanitation and to include weatherization, green jobs, and solar maintenance. Plateau Solar Project brings rural Navajo elders into the 21st century. These are primarily Navajo elders 65 to 101 years old who have no electricity, water or sanitation. They are living with Kerosene lights, outhouses and have to haul in all of their water.
Nowhere in America are there more people without electricity than on tribal lands. Despite the fact that the Navajo and Hopi tribes are the major electricity producers for the entire Southwest nearly 20,000 rural Navajo homes do not have electrification or basic human services. Moreover, a significant number of these homes are occupied by underprivileged elders with health issues or disabilities. And, for over 40 years approximately 8,000 Navajo residents in the Former Bennett Freeze Area of Western Navajo Nation were prevented from building new homes, improving roads and infrastructure or even repairing roofs or windows on their existing homes. These severe federal restrictions subjected thousands of Navajos to incomprehensible poverty rarely seen in modern times.
Photo of solar tracking system
Each multi-purpose utility structure is powered by an array of solar panels that automatically track the sun, like this one.
In response to this energy crisis, Navajo non-profit IINA Solutions 1 and international solar specialist Mark Snyder Electric and Global Solar Water Power Systems established the Plateau Solar Project to bring solar electricity to rural Native elders and priority need residents in northern Arizona and northwestern New Mexico. With funds from Renewable Energy Investment Fund (REIF) 2 and Grand Canyon Trust, Phase One of the Plateau Solar Project commenced on the evening of January 14, 2011 with a 2 kilowatt solar installation at the home of Paula Curtis. Mrs. Curtis, a single parent with six children lives in the rural Canyon Diablo area of Leupp Navajo Chapter, is one of two underprivileged Navajo residents who qualified for a demonstration solar unit fully funded by Renewable Energy Investment Fund.
Illustration of Multi-Purpose Utility Structure for Plateau Project
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The Plateau Solar Project takes an uncompromising approach to its solar installation program. “Our field assessment demonstrated the need for conscientious solar installation practices in Indian country, more so for unschooled elders living in rural areas. Paramount concerns in designing a robust solar system with a potential lifespan of 25 years include complying with safety principles even though the tribe has no safety and installation standards, proper wiring and re-wiring, training, regular maintenance, integrating sanitation features, and sustainable job creation”, said Elsa Johnson, Director of IINA Solutions.
To protect the solar units from harsh elements of the region, Mark Snyder designed the Enertopia Multi-Purpose Utility Structure (EMPUS), patent pending. This insulated, climate-controlled structure will store a domestic water tank, solar batteries, and 2kw of solar PV electric with room for solar thermal and solar hot air space heating designed to reduce the amount of wood needed for home heating in the winter. This will also, provide year round hot water for domestic needs including a composting toilet, sink and shower and water catchment. The solar heating systems have a special ultra-low power wall heater providing space heating with water and hot air. The EMPUS is a solar device itself acting as a heating and cooling module with the home.
Completed Utility Shed
Plateau Project Director, Elsa Johnson, gives a tour of a completed utility shed to National American Indian Housing Council Executive Director, Mellor Willie.
Each elder will be trained on proper use and care of their system. MidNite Solar invented a charge controller with Navajo voice-over for monitoring and alerting maintenance personnel. Two well insulated ducts connect the self-contained EMPUS to the home of the elder.
Mark Snyder, owner of Mark Snyder Electric and president of GSWPS said, “The Plateau Solar Project is very important and will bring essential electrical, water and sanitation services to off grid Native Americans who have been ignored for far too long.” IINA Solutions will continue to seek project funds and expand its outreach throughout the rest of Western Navajo and the Colorado Plateau for eligible no-or-low income elder
http://www.marksnyderelectric.com/
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http://iinasolutions.com/
Post time: Jan-14-2017