Pine Ridge 2017

When Meters Spin Backwards

Thoughts from Abbie Weeks and Jeff Boyce

-Abbie Weeks-

Today we put up the last of the solar panels on Mr. Conquering Bear’s house and finished a project that began as soon as I returned from Uganda last summer.

I can’t help but smile remembering the moment the solar panels were live and began to generate electricity. All of the team was gathered around the meter and, as miraculously as working against gravity, it spun backwards; energy was going back into the grid.

Often times, environmental conservation works feels just like that: like working against gravity: as if pursuing sustainability means pushing back at some unstoppable force of economics or some inevitable path for our planet.

But this solar installation on Pine Ridge is another piece of evidence that the protection of our planet and the prosperity of our species are simultaneously attainable. Solar works. Renewable energy is a realistic solution.

This trip to Pine Ridge was full of not only incredible memories and people, but of a sense of community and purpose. Late night campfires and games of Frisbee strengthened friendships and created utter joy. Meetings with the Pine Ridge Housing Authority, lessons from the Solar Corps team at Grid Alternatives, and stories from local tribal members, strengthened my sense of purpose, and created profound awe.

I have graduated high school, and the EcoAction chapter at Cherry Creek High School will be passed on to new student leadership. Yet the experiences I have had working with communities towards affordable and sustainable energy are already writing the next years of my life. How lucky am I to have met so many kindred souls, to have traveled across the world and the United States, and to have the support of my community in this incredible adventure. I want to thank Jeff Boyce: teacher, mentor, and incredible human being for his undying support of my dreams. He helped me make so many of them come true.

There is always a finality to the closing of one chapter and the beginning of the next, but I have no doubt that EcoAction and you, reader, will defy gravity and continue to fulfill our responsibility to our planet and each other. We need action and activists now more than ever.

Best of luck, and my immense gratitude to each and every person I have met so far on this journey.

All my love,

Abbie Weeks

-Jeff Boyce-

I became an environmental scientist because I care about this beautiful planet that we share. I became a teacher because it is future generations that will need to solve the problems that we collectively face.

The PV install in Pine Ridge was complete when the net electricity meter slowed down and reversed direction. This was the moment that the 3 roof arrays consisting of 21 individual panels came online and began producing more electricity than the home was consuming.

This installation of this 7.2 kW system marks a decrease in the amount of carbon dioxide that is released by the combustion of fossil fuels to generate electricity. This system will generate approximately 15,000 kWh of electricity per year. The Nebraska Power Association generates electricity for Pine Ridge and uses coal for almost 65% of that electricity. A single kWh of electricity from coal releases 1.2 pounds of carbon dioxide. This install represents a decrease of just less than 20,000 pounds of carbon dioxide each year.

This is real change. We don’t to need to wait for people in Washington to legislate change, we need to educate people and change how we approach our consumptive lifestyles.

I want to thank Grid Alternatives for allowing us to partner with them. This trip changed the lives of my students and opened my eyes to the power of learning outside the classroom. The folks at Grid went out of their way to educate, to engage and empower my students each and every day. They are true “Solar Warriors”!

Riley Weeks and Abbie Weeks Sending up the last of the solar panels

Robin, Abbie, and Lina

Solar Panels to the Roof!

Wednesday Roof Team: Claire

Hey everyone, I’m Claire.

A few of us woke up early for the sunrise gleaming over the lake we’re camping by, and it was breathtaking. The lake was calm and clouds bright pink. The clouds blew in and rained and rained, so the day started a little later than anticipated.

We got to Conquering Bear’s house around nine but lightning kept us from working on the roof at first so we tested and recorded the open circuit voltage (VOC) of each solar panel to ensure the whole system would be generating as much electricity as possible once installed.

Eventually we got up onto the roof around 11am. We worked in two teams on different sections in the house. Boyce, Nick (Solar Corps), Lina, and I installed nine solar panels onto the East side of the house and four on the West side. Which was pretty easy once you got the hang of it. A little muscle heaved the panels from the ground onto the roof and Lina and I helped straighten them out and bolt them in place. On the West side, the rest of the roof team worked on getting the rails up for more panels to sit on. After lunch we regrouped to work on running conduit (for the wires) from the different junction boxes (from the panels) to combine them into one box. Tomorrow we have to attach eight solar panels (on the West side) and fish the wires through the conduit. Other than that we nearly done!

Crawlspace Mornings

While the roof team may seem to have all the glory of installation to themselves, the ground team does merit some appreciation. Although the solar panels are placed on the roof, as well as the microinverters in this install, the electricity generated by the panels must be fed into the main service panel (an electric box) located in the back of Mr. Conquering Bear’s house. On the ground this morning I worked with Riley, Allan, and team supervisor Austin, in the crawlspace. We dropped the grounding wire down from the back room into the crawl space but the wire wouldn’t fit into the conduit at first so we had to bend new wires and try and fit it into the awkward space between the wall and insulation. The power is off to the home to prevent electrocution as we handle the wiring, so we were without lights in the crawlspace save a flashlight.

Austen wearing an arc flash suit to avoid potential electrocution while working on the main service panel

Eventually we got all the wiring in place so that when the panels are active, they will directly power the home!

In the afternoon we fed wires up to the roof that would connect the arrays and finalize the connections. Tomorrow we will finish the instal!

Riley places Caution sticker on electrical box

Lakota Solar and Henry Red Cloud

Today we had the honor of visiting Lakota Solar Enterprises, a company started by Henry Red Cloud. Lakota Enterprises is a native-owned solar company that produces solar heating units and provides green job training to help the community attain energy sovereignty.

Mr. Red Cloud led us around Red Cloud Renewable Energy Center (RCREC), “where Native Americans from around the country come to receive hands-on training in renewable energy applications from fellow Native American trainers. RCREC’s facilities also include demonstration solar air furnaces, a solar electric system, straw bale home demonstration sites, a wind turbine, green houses and garden, buffalo from the Red Cloud herd, and wind break and shade trees. In addition to educating about the benefits of renewable energy, RCREC’s workshops are creating green jobs for residents of Pine Ridge, as well as visiting trainees from other tribes. As tribal leaders learn how to incorporate sustainable technology into housing plans, employment training, and energy strategies, the impact will increase exponentially.” (from Lakota Enterprises)

We toured his workshop, sustainable farm, a straw bale house, and a portable solar trailer that he brought to the Standing Rock protests. Mr. Red Cloud is a passionate, kindred soul. His deep care for his community and for the land we live on is obvious in how he speaks. He discussed with us current affairs, the rights of Native Americans, and the inherent responsibility of all to take care of our earth. On the day we met Mr. Red Cloud he had spent the day planting thousands of pine seedlings. He is truly a pioneer and icon in his field.

From Lakota Enterprises

“For more than a decade, Henry has devoted himself to developing his expertise with renewable energy applications that are environmentally sound, economically beneficial, and culturally appropriate. Today, Henry is a twenty-first century Lakota Warrior, bringing green technology and employment to Native American communities. He reminds tribes that they can live sustainably and shows them that by embracing clean, renewable energy applications there is a way to get back to a traditional relationship with Mother Earth. As Henry says, “This is a new way to honor the old ways.””

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Day 2 The Work Begins!

Hi all! Lina Krueck here, reporting from Pine Ridge, South Dakota and Chadron, Nebraska bringing you more exciting coverage of the Pine Ridge Eco Action Solar Panel Install Trip! Day One was just the beginning to an even more exciting Day TWO! Tuesday was the day the real adventure began in Pine Ridge, starting with the Cultural Orientation led by Mr. Doyle at the Oglala Lakota Housing Authority office just at the southern end of the Pine Ridge Reservation.

That morning, the 7 of us kids who slept in the large tent woke up around 8 to the lovely sound of birds chirping. When we emerged from the tent, we began preparing for the day. Tooth brushes, socks, sweatshirts, and water bottles were all being used, changed, and filled throughout the campsite, while water boiled on the stove. We had coffee and oatmeal for our “healthy and balanced” camping breakfast. Finally, we hit the road towards Pine Ridge around 8:45.

I wasn’t sure what to expect on our way to the reservation. I was nervous. Being a Native American who grew up in middle class Denver, Colorado where I never had to worry about not having a house or food on the table made me feel guilty. I have lived such a comfortable and sheltered life and I’ve never had to go through what many Natives have while living on the reservation. As we drove further and further into the reservation, I saw run down houses and cars. People were walking down the streets smoking. Dogs were running around covered in ticks. I felt a surge of anger rush over me because people shouldn’t have to live like this.

The good news is that people like us who partner with the people at companies like GRID Alternatives (who are absolutely wonderful, by the way) are striving to make a difference for Native people. I hope that some day clean energy is the number one way that reservations like Pine Ridge power their lives.

When I first saw the house we would be installing on, I was definitely surprised. It looked slightly newer than most other houses in the area. Mr. Doyle talked about how the housing authority is working to build new houses, so it made me happy to see that the house wasn’t run down and old.

Everyone I’ve talked to so far about our project and solar has been very excited about it! I think a lot of people here have a great mindset, they think positively and know that clean energy is the way to go, and that’s why we’re here. To lower the cost of their bills, while also helping the planet!

I’m proud that the tribe is doing everything they can to try to live better lives, thanks to the work of the people at the housing authority and our help with GRID. I had a good feeling as we began to install that cleaner energy is going to make its way through Pine Ridge to benefit many people, and hopefully we can share our knowledge of solar with many others so that the world can be a greener place

Walk for Pine Ridge West Middle School

Thank you for visiting Ecological Action’s site, click HERE to donate to the Pine Ridge Solar Project!

Hello! My Name is Robin Tutchton, I’m a student at Cherry Creek High School and a participant of the club – EcoAction. This week, I was one of the presenters that talked about to students at West Middle School about raising money for an important cause!

This summer, with West Middle School’s help, EcoAction is installing solar panels on the home of Mr. Conquering Bear, a disabled veteran who lives on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. This individual lives in a very impoverished community and often has trouble making ends meet because his electricity bill is so expensive.

In Greenwood Village all of Wests’ students typicaly have access to electricity. Yet just 5 hours away, 40% of residents of Pine Ridge live without it. We discussed with students how not being able to turn lights on at night would affect our ability to do homework, not being able to charge our phones would inhibit our communication, and not being able to keep food in the refrigerator would cause us to have trouble preserving our food. Electricity is a fundamental human right.

A team of EcoAction members is traveling to Mr.Conquering Bear’s house in June and installing solar panels on his roof. Solar energy, once implemented, is not only an environmentally sustainable alternative to coal or natural gas, it is cheap and reliable. Solar panels will lower Mr.Conquering Bear’s electricity bill and will ensure he has consistent access to electricity.

Now, as us “Eco-Actionites” have grown up we have realized something that all our parents have been telling us – things in this world cost money.

Every year the students of 7th grade organize a fundraising walk. We are so happy to sponsor the fundraising walk, this year for solar for Mr. Conquering Bear.

All money we raise will go directly to purchasing the solar panels for Mr Conquering Bear.

Every contribution helps.

Students of West can donate either through a check to made out to Ecological Action at CCHS, by giving cash to a SSR Teacher, or online by clicking HERE

Thank you so much!

Please scroll through our blog to read about past projects!

Many of us presenting were former West Middle School students and it was a blast to catch up with our old teachers and walk throughout the building remembering our middle school years. The kids were engaging and very knowledgeable about green living and the use of solar energy and were full of wonderful questions about solar panels, Pine Ridge, and Eco Action. All of us had so much fun talking to the students of 7th grade!

-Robin Tutchton

Katya Zabelski, Robin Tutchton, Abbie Weeks, and Allan Chen present to West Middle School’s 7th Grade.

Patxi’s Pizza Fundraiser

Greetings, Pizza lovers! Yes, I did say pizza! Ecological Action is having a fundraiser! Come eat with us on Wednesday, April 19th at Patxi’s Pizza on University and Hampden. 10% of the proceeds will go to purchase solar panels for a Veteran on the Pine Ridge Native American Reservation (learn more about this solar installation by reading the blog post below).

If you have already joined us for Pizza, or are enjoying a slice right now, we really appreciate it! Thank you for taking the time to look at our website to see what we are up to. Looking to donate more than 10% of your bill? Click on the link below to help!

Click HERE to Donate

Continue to check this blog and share it with your friends and family to see what Eco Action is up to and how the solar panel installment goes this summer! But for now, enjoy that pizza! Yum!

Peace and Love,

Riley (EcoAction Club Member)

The Beginnings of a Bright Future

This summer, Ecological Action is installing a photovoltaic system on a veteran’s home in the Pine Ridge Native American Reservation in South Dakota. We are thrilled to be partnering with GRID Alternatives, a nonprofit with offices in Colorado in the solar energy industry.

“GRID Alternatives’ vision is a successful transition to clean, renewable energy that includes everyone. Our mission is to make renewable energy technology and job training accessible to underserved communities”

They have done some amazing work, including installing 8,177 solar powered systems and preventing over 646,191 tons of greenhouse gasses from being emitted into the atmosphere.

Learn more about GRID Alternative’s work here: http://www.gridalternatives.org/

As an environmental club, EcoAction is so grateful to be partnering with GRID Alternatives this summer and throughout the school year!

For the next couple of months, members of EcoAction will attend training sessions at GRID Alternatives and cover topics such as solar system design, net metering policies, cultural perspectives, Native American energy issues, and learn hands-on solar installation skills such as conduit bending and tool usage.

The first training session with GRID Alternatives occurred on March 20th and was an insightful experience and exciting introduction for all of the interested club members. We carpooled (of course) down to GRID Alternatives’ main warehouse in Denver. Berlyn Huber, a GRID Staff member who has been incredibly supportive from the time we first discussed this potential partnership in January, immersed us in the unique experience that GRID was prepared to share with us.

We learned what exactly GRID does for communities with low access to electricity, the environmental importance of solar on the environment, and how much access to clean electricity is valued by Native Americans. To be able to tie together a passionate group of Hippie teenagers, an established environmental non-profit, and a reservation that cares deeply about the earth is a once in a lifetime connection that I am sure will spark a sense of community and deeper purpose in all involved.

By the end of the meeting, we (EcoAction) were very excited about the trip already and wanted summer to come even faster. Our next meeting will encompass the specifics of solar powered energy and the logistics of how we will be installing solar panels on a Reservation. We are blessed with the opportunity to make a positive change for both the environment and the people who deserve it the most.

Thank you to those who donated at our 2017 Songs for Solar Benefit Concert. Without your generous support, none of this would be possible. I can’t wait to share more about this journey with you as it unfolds!

Peace and Love,

Riley Weeks (EcoAction Club Member)

Click Below to discover more about our partner, GRID Alternatives:

http://www.gridalternatives.org/

Click Below to gain more insight on Pine Ridge Native American Reservation:

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2016/10/life-pine-ridge-native-american-reservation-161031113119935.html

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