The Navajo Nation Tribal Government-Kayenta Chapter – 2022 Project

NOTE: Project pages are being updated regularly to reflect changes, if any; however, some of the information may be dated.

Summary

This solar-based microgrid project will provide 100% access to clean electricity for the Comb Ridge/El Capitan community, consisting of 25 unpowered residential buildings, in the Kayenta Chapter of the Navajo Nation. The microgrid will consist of approximately 110 kilowatts (kW) solar PV, 400 kilowatt-hours (kWh) battery energy storage, and 170 kW of fossil-fuel generation for backup power. The microgrid will provide 24/7 power and internet for the community to improve the residents' quality of life by offering affordable electricity and internet. It will also create five full-time temporary positions and three full-time positions for the life of the system.

Project Description

Background

The Navajo Nation Tribal Government-Kayenta Chapter has an estimated total population of 6,211, including the Indigenous population of 5,907.

The Navajo Nation envisions sustainably using its lands to improve quality of life for its residents by offering affordable electricity and a stable internet connection. With the solar-based microgrid established by this project, the Nation’s long-term vision can be soon achieved. While cost reduction is an obvious driver for this project, these technologies bring more than just a lower energy bill to residents.

Project Objectives

The overarching goal of this project is to bring reliable and clean electricity, as well as broadband connectivity, for about 25 residential buildings in the Comb Ridge/El Capitan community in the Kayenta Chapter of the Navajo Nation, which is currently not connected to the main grid. The team will leverage commercially proven products to establish a resilient, autonomous solar-based microgrid with total solar generation capacity of approximately 110 kW, total battery storage capacity of around 400 kWh, and total backup fossil-fuel generation capacity of roughly 170 kW. The entire microgrid will adopt a distributed configuration and can provide uninterrupted power and internet for the community.

Project Scope

The project team will complete the project planning, microgrid system design, equipment manufacturing, shipment, installation, and power system monitoring throughout the first phase of the project. The second phase of the project includes a focus on power system operation verification, testing, and capacity building in regular power system maintenance and energy and digital literacy for Navajo residents to ensure project success.

The expected outcomes include an integrated energy system to provide reliable and full electricity access to Indigenous residents and education that expands energy and digital literacy, including technical training in microgrid development and maintenance for Navajo Nation engineers and residents.

Project Location

The site for this proposed project is in the Comb Ridge/El Capitan region on Indian Route 6460. It includes a total of 29 buildings, of which about 25 buildings are in sound condition for electrical connection. These buildings comprise multigenerational homes of approximately four to eight members each. This project will provide energy to approximately 96–120 tribal members.