Solar For All

BACKGROUND: In 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency launched a $7 billion grant program aimed at expanding solar for all via access to affordable, resilient solar energy for low-income and disadvantaged communities.

In 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency launched a $7 billion grant program aimed at expanding solar for all via access to affordable, resilient solar energy for low-income and disadvantaged communities. The goal is to address energy affordability by funding residential rooftop solar, community solar projects, and battery storage to help reduce energy bills for households, while creating jobs. The program was authorized by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund under the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in August 2022. The main proponents of the bill were to lower energy costs, reduce pollution, increase energy resilience, and advance environmental justice. 

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Why SOFA matters?

As an Arizona grant recipient of Solar for All (SOFA), Tó Nizhóní Ání aims to address energy affordability, resiliency, and environmental justice on the Navajo Nation by expanding solar access and energy affordability on the Navajo Nation.

On the Navajo Nation, the number of people who don't have electricity remains high. Organizations like Native Renewables are trying to address some of these needs by installing off-grid solar to rural homes on the Navajo Nation.

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Tribal Communities & Energy Burdens

28%

28% higher energy burden than the national household average. Spending less than 6% of total income on electricity, gas, and heating is an average energy burden. Many Navajo communities are at or exceed 6%.

~17,000

~17,000 tribal homes lack electricity nationally, 75% of which are on Navajo Nation

1.5 - 2.5x

1.5 - 2.5x greater energy burden in AZ tribal reservations compared to the statewide average

What is driving energy costs up?

Misaligned Utility Incentives

Load Growth

Fuel Price Volatility

Aging Grid Infrastructure

Extreme Weather & Wildfires

Navajo Solar Success Stories

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Mary Benally, Ayahkinii Atsá’ Dine’é, resides in the community of Mexican Water, located in Southeastern Utah on the Navajo Nation. In 2015, Mary’s home was equipped with solar panels, courtesy of Grid Alternatives and the Mexican Water Chapter, to help power her home, built by Design Build Bluff. Mary resided within the service area of Rocky Mountain Power, where she enrolled in their net-metering program. Not long after, Mary had to make the switch from Rocky Mountain Power to the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority, NTUA, due to her residing on the Navajo Nation. Although her experience with net-metering was short-lived, her trailblazing efforts sparked hope for the Navajo people. Compelled by her advocacy and support for energy independence, this is Mary’s story. 

SOLAR ON NAVAJO

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

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Public schools and school districts on the Navajo Nation, through an approved net-metering policy, stand to save millions of dollars in electric utility bills in the near term alone...

Public Schools

Public schools and school districts on the Navajo Nation, through an approved net metering policy, stand to save millions of dollars in electric utility bills in the near term, alone. These are savings that can be spent in other educational areas.   

In recent years, school districts have been leading the way in solar energy technology and savings. Since 2024,  the Chinle Unified School District, including schools in Chinle, Many Farms, and Tsaile and Chinle Junior High and High School, have installed photovoltaic (PV) solar panels on school facilities.  While the school district does have a savings without a Net Metering policy, their ability to get the most out of their solar remains out of reach without the policy.  

Chinle Unified School District Governing Board recognizes the need for a net metering policy which would allow them to negotiate a net metering interconnectivity agreement with Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) and thereby increase the benefits of generating their own power through solar.   

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LOCAL GOVERNANCE

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Solar installations at several chapter houses (local units of government) across the Navajo Nation in recent years have resulted in some energy savings...

Local Governance

Solar installations at several chapter houses (local units of government) across the Navajo Nation in recent years have resulted in some energy savings. However, the savings could be significant by implementing a Net Metering policy, which could increase the savings to chapters up to 100%.

Chapters with solar infrastructure include Tolani Lake in Western Agency, Hard Rock and Forest Lake on Dził Yíjiin, and Crown Point and Ojo Encino in New Mexico. We applaud their vision and diligence! 

These chapters are on the brink of next-level opportunity. Whether it’s funding for local veteran services and projects, waste management needs, or childcare programs, savings from net metering can make a meaningful difference. 

 

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COMMERCE

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Imagine small business development (and jobs!) on the Navajo Nation exploding. This is certainly possible if policies are created in support of local business owners...

Commerce

Imagine small business development (and jobs!) on the Navajo Nation exploding.  This is certainly possible if policies are created in support of local business owners.   Affordable energy can be one less burden for a starting business or a business in a rural area that struggles from time to time.  A low or consistent energy bill can help Businesses on the Navajo Nation project operational costs better.   A net metering policy can help get us there.  

 

Small businesses across the United States are turning to solar energy to lock-in affordable utility costs, achieve energy independence, and stand on environmentally conscious business practices. The advantages to this range from cost predictability through fixed energy costs, brand appeal for those who seek an eco-conscious market, and operations resilience such that when blackouts occur, commercial solar system batteries coupled with net metering energy credits keep the doors open and utility expenses manageable. 

As we speak, Navajo Nation Shopping Centers, Inc. is breaking ground with parking lot awning solar installations at their Tuba City Bashas’ Grocery location, paving the way for unprecedented energy savings. That’s exciting!  

With a net metering policy, they are positioned to unlock an entirely new level of energy savings. Without such a policy, they will achieve a curtailed or limited benefit from their solar system, not to mention an abbreviated return on investment. Their ability to maximize monetary savings, and attract new retail clients and support small development because of it, hinges on an approved net metering policy on the Navajo Nation. 

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What's Next?

Tó Nizhóní Ání is currently exploring a number of options to increase energy affordability on the Navajo Nation and one of those being net-metering.

What is Net-Metering?

Net metering is a billing mechanism that allows residential, school, government, and commercial customers who generate their own electricity from solar power to sell the electricity they aren’t using back into the grid.

The utility pays them monetary credits for the extra power at a 1:1 rate. The result is a reduced or zeroed-out monthly electric bill or earned credit to be used by the customer at later dates or times, such as during winter months, nighttime usage, or on cloudy days. Credits can also be shared with neighboring customers, such as households or schools. 

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Contat Us:

Eric_SOFA

Eric Descheenie

Community Organizer

eric@tonizhoniani.org

Adrian_SOFA

Adrian Herder

Media Organizer

adrian@tonizhoniani.org

Nicole_SOFA

Nicole Horseherder

Executive Director

nicole@tonizhoniani.org