Native Americans are ten times more likely to not have electricity than the national average and, as people of color far less likely to have solar power, after 20th century rural electrification bypassed some of their communities, studies have shown.
To help build tribal energy independence, training group Solar Energy International has partnered with non-profit Red Cloud Renewable to teach students to assemble off-grid systems for isolated homes or grid-connected arrays to cut bills.
These "solar warriors" hope to supply power to areas like the Navajo Nation, where around 25% of homes lack electricity, and cut energy bills in reservations such as Pine Ridge, which has the poorest county in the United States.
Another goal is to create a Native American solar workforce to build big arrays in places like the Pine Ridge Reservation and teach solar skills to the next generation.
A teepee is reflected onto solar panel on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota, June 16, 2021.
Henry Red Cloud installs solar panels on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota, U.S., Sept. 24, 2018.
The entrance to the Red Cloud Renewable Energy Center is seen on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota, Sept. 28, 2018.
Ivan Looking Horse helps to install solar panels on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota, Sept. 25, 2018.
Student Gwe Gasco looks at a course handout on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota, June 13, 2021.
Students from the Pine Ridge Girls' School after participating in a sweat lodge on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota, September 27, 2018.
Darren Cross and Henry Red Cloud install solar panels on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota, Sept. 24, 2018.
Henry Red Cloud's granddaughters play in a teepee on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota, June 24, 2018.
A teepee is reflected onto solar panel on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota, June 16, 2021.
Henry Red Cloud installs solar panels on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota, U.S., Sept. 24, 2018.
The entrance to the Red Cloud Renewable Energy Center is seen on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota, Sept. 28, 2018.
Ivan Looking Horse helps to install solar panels on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota, Sept. 25, 2018.
Student Gwe Gasco looks at a course handout on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota, June 13, 2021.
Students from the Pine Ridge Girls' School after participating in a sweat lodge on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota, September 27, 2018.
Darren Cross and Henry Red Cloud install solar panels on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota, Sept. 24, 2018.
Henry Red Cloud's granddaughters play in a teepee on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota, June 24, 2018.
Emilie Richardson Photography
Emilie Richardson is a New York based photographer available for assignments worldwide.