Shonto, Ariz. — Peering into a blue metal box containing the different parts of a photovoltaic (PV) power system—an inverter/charger, isolation switches, and a monitoring system— Nelly Watchman and Curtis Greyeyes connect the PV array conductors to the inverter.

“This wire goes to this one, and then this one comes to this one,” Watchman confidently explains. The couple will soon cut, strip, and crimp cables before connecting them to four batteries they have arranged to provide critical energy storage for their off-grid system. 

The couple was among four households participating in day two of a three-day training workshop on off-grid photovoltaic systems. The workshop was part of a larger Fort Lewis College initiative to bring renewable energy to Shonto Chapter, one of the Navajo Nation’s 110 chapters or municipalities.

“Familiarizing them with those components and how they all work together is important," said Laurie Williams, an engineering professor at FLC. “If they have an issue and call for help, they can tell us if it’s with the array, the charge controller, or the inverter, so they’re comfortable monitoring how things operate. It also demystifies the system and helps them get a sense of ownership."

Electrifying Shonto

Camille Keith, the inaugural Marathon Solar Fellow, said bringing electricity to those without it is not just a matter of convenience but also a public health issue.

During the pandemic, she pointed out, the Navajo Nation was ravaged by COVID-19 due in part to underlying chronic illnesses. The Center for Disease Control estimates half of Navajo Nation adults have type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes.

“We face many health disparities, and many families need oxygen and a refrigerator. This project is really making an impact on the Navajo Nation.”

The workshop is part of the Navajo Nation Solar Initiative, funded through a $100,000 prize from the Department of Energy's "Energizing Rural Communities." It aims to identify, map, and prioritize the more than 60 families in Shonto who need help with off-grid solar systems.

NNSI partnered with FLC’s Village Aid Project Solar Initiative, an FLC student organization led by Williams as faculty advisor, which designed, procured, and installed the solar systems this spring.

During the training at the Shonto Chapter House, community members who saw the sign outside stopped by to check out the activities and sign up for more information about the solar energy program. They also spoke with those who already have the system in their homes.

Brian Kee, whose parents received an off-grid PV system, attended the workshop to ensure he understood how it works. He happily shared how having access to an off-grid PV system impacted his family.

“There was no power line, running water, or things we take for granted, like plugging in appliances,” he said, adding that to make coffee, they would have to start by gathering and chopping wood. Keeping fresh food was impossible: supermarkets are at least an hour away, and with the high temperatures of the high desert, even an ice box couldn’t keep the meat for more than a day.

“Until now, we didn’t buy meat because it spoils fast. Everything was dry goods, canned food, beef jerky,” he said. Now, he said, his parents can have a more balanced diet; their house is illuminated, and they can have coffee in the morning and cold drinks, vegetables, and meat.

“We can have a barbecue in the evening,” he said, smiling. Kee said since March, he and his family have been wondering whether they can add a microwave to the few appliances connected to the system.

After the workshop, he said he thinks the system can handle a smaller one.

“This workshop helped me be more knowledgeable and not scared,” Kee­­­‑‑‑ said. I’m going to find a smaller microwave. Where we are, it’s so remote it would be unique to see a pizza that’s ready in two or three minutes,” he said. And I could heat dinners, too.”

Ozzy Shirley, an FLC junior, is an intern designing and installing on-grid and off-grid photovoltaic systems. Shirley grew up in Sweetwater, Ariz., and was also on the Navajo reservation.

“This training is helping me understand off-grid design,” Shirley said, adding that the workshop was a hit with the community.

He was inspired by what he saw.

“They were so excited about getting busy! I want to do what Camille is doing now: working with the community.”

“It’s very empowering,” agreed Williams, the FLC engineering professor. “I have been so excited to see how engaged they are. Watching them wire their inverters was impressive. They exceeded our expectations. It’s been great.” To learn more about the work of the Village Aid Project, visit its webpage: https://www.fortlewis.edu/about-flc/initiatives-partnerships/village-aid-project/village-aid-home

RELATED: FLC alumna who led efforts to bring solar power to Navajo Nation becomes the inaugural Marathon Solar Fellow