ABQ Times

Native American women across the United States are participating in a new program that provides hands-on training in photovoltaic panel installation. This initiative, part of a collaboration between Sandia National Laboratories and Red Cloud Renewable, aims to equip participants to set up residential and community systems on tribal land.

Sandra Begay, an engineer at Sandia National Laboratories and a member of the Navajo Nation, is one of four mentors involved in this project. She emphasizes the significance of this opportunity for Native American women, who represent less than half a percent of the solar installation industry.

The program, named Bridging Renewable Industry Divides in Gender Equality (BRIDGE), offers a five-week immersive training session that includes practical photovoltaic installation experience. The training is conducted under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement between Sandia and Red Cloud Renewable, based in Pine Ridge, South Dakota.

Begay met with the first cohort in August. She acknowledged the challenge of being away from home for five weeks but provided encouragement and support to the participants. "Five weeks is a long time to be away from home," Begay said. "I provided encouragement and reminded the women that they made the right choice to participate in this program."

The curriculum covers various aspects of photovoltaic systems, including their components and safe installation practices. It also educates participants about the energy landscape within tribal communities. Many homes on reservations such as the Navajo Nation still rely on diesel generators due to lack of electricity access.

"There are more than 20,000 homes on the Navajo Nation and some rural homes on the Hopi reservation that don’t have electricity," Begay noted. "We’re looking at a clean energy future."

Red Cloud Renewable assists participants with resume writing, interview preparation, networking, and job placement following their training. Begay has committed to maintaining contact with these women beyond their initial training period.

"I am making a long-term commitment to the women in the BRIDGE Program," she stated. "I will share any job openings I see with them and support them in their job searches."

Alicia Hayden, communications manager for Red Cloud Renewable, highlighted teamwork as an essential aspect taught during the program. "Photovoltaic installation happens with a team of people," said Begay. Hayden observed strong camaraderie among participants: “What stood out to me was the incredible camaraderie among the women.”

The Department of Energy Solar Energy Technology Office funds this project over several years, aiming to train approximately 45 women through additional cohorts.

“These women will be equipped to take on installer jobs within their own reservations,” Hayden explained.

Begay sees this initiative as an important step towards increasing representation for Native American women in solar installation fields: “It’s very gratifying both professionally and personally.”