Fort Lewis College’s Fundamental Needs Oasis Project and the Rural Clean Energy Partnership are expanding off-grid solar power and clean water access for Navajo Nation families – with high school and college students leading the installations.
A $150,000 grant from the Honnold Foundation will support solar installations, solar-powered water systems and renewable energy training for high school and Fort Lewis College students, according to a college news release.
Justice Ramos, executive director of Fundamental Needs, said about 15,000 homes on the Navajo Nation lack electricity – roughly 75% of all unelectrified homes in the country – and nearly one-third of the population lacks access to safe drinking water.
Fort Lewis College students will partner with Rock Point Community School, Kirtland Central High School and Durango School District students on installations after completing two asynchronous solar engineering courses at the college, the release said.
Fifteen solar home systems will be installed by the team, which will provide electricity for lighting, refrigeration, heating, water pumping and essential appliances, the release said. A 550-gallon solar-powered water system will also be given to each home to provide clean water for drinking and sanitation purposes.
FLC’s Fundamental Needs’ Oasis Project has been bringing off-grid water systems to families in Rock Point, Sweetwater, Red Mesa, Shiprock and Farmington since 2021.
The off-grid water and power system installations are led by FLC Engineering Professor Laurie Williams, who has worked to expand off-grid energy access in Navajo Nation communities for eight years.
“We’re excited to be joining forces with Fundamental Needs,” Williams said in the release. “This collaboration meets two critical needs: providing families with access to clean energy and clean water while giving students real-world experience that opens pathways to careers in renewable energy.”
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