SUN SHINES ON NEVADA TRIBAL LANDS

Solar energy comes to tribal clinic
May 30, 2009 (Lahontan Valley News)

"A new solar energy system is [powering]… the Pyramid Lake Tribal Health Clinic in Nixon…The 30-kilowatt photovoltaic array was made possible by a combination of donated labor and materials, and a program created by the Nevada State Legislature…Labor and materials were donated by the nonprofit Black Rock Solar, and costs for the solar panels were offset by a $138,000 rebate from the SolarGenerations program, which is managed statewide by NV Energy.

"The panels were installed on the ground in a fenced area next to the clinic and are expected to generate approximately 60,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year, or roughly half the clinic’s annual electricity consumption. This will reduce the clinic’s annual electric bill by approximately $7,200 or $180,000 over the expected 25-year life of the panels…Since the start of the program six years ago, over 2 megawatts of solar energy have been installed statewide, and over $8 million in financial incentives has been paid out."

Pushed onto lands thought in the 19th century to be too burned by the sun and blown by the winds to be productive, Native Americans now find themselves in possession of immense New Energy resources. (click to enlarge)

"The Tribal Health Clinic provides health care services to the communities of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation…Black Rock Solar is supported by Burning Man and is focused on speeding the adoption of renewable energy by delivering low or no cost solar power to communities in need.

"Employing an innovative and collaborative approach to solar project development, Black Rock Solar extends Burning Man’s spirit of creativity and environmental stewardship to affect real environmental change, according to Tom Price, executive director of Black Rock Solar…This is the seventh completed project for Black Rock Solar…"