PINE RIDGE, S.D. – A renewable energy training center on the Pine Ridge Reservation is gaining national attention for helping Native Americans build careers in the growing solar energy industry.
Red Cloud Renewable Energy Center has trained more than 1,100 people, with about 80 percent of graduates finding work in the solar field. The nonprofit was recently honored during Climate Week in New York for combining workforce training with clean energy projects in underserved communities.
Founded by Chief Henry Red Cloud, the program grew from a simple solar heating invention that helped warm hundreds of reservation homes. Today, the center offers hands-on solar installation training and is exploring plans to expand its successful model to tribal communities beyond South Dakota.
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