Grant to bring renewable energy to Navajo homes

Posted at: 06/26/2009 10:07 AM
By: The Associated Press

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - A company owned by American Indians has been awarded more than $500,000 to bring electricity from solar power to Navajo Nation homes that now lack electricity.

Sacred Power Inc. of Albuquerque was awarded the grant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The company went into partnership with local chapter houses on the Navajo Nation in New Mexico and Arizona to secure USDA grants for modular hybrid solar photovoltaic stations to provide electricity.

The USDA says such stations combine photovoltaic panels plus controls, battery storage and a backup small wind turbine or propane generator to provide reliable electricity to homes.

Systems are built at Sacred Power's Albuquerque plant, then moved to the home.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Print Story