INDIAN CANYON GETS GRANT FOR
CHARKO SOLAR PROJECT!
CHARKO MEANS ‘LIGHT’
IN MUTSUN OHLONE
Indian Canyon was recently awarded
a grant of $14,800 from the Greenville Foundation for the
installation of a 1320 watt photovoltaic (PV) solar system
at the main cabin. What will 1320 watts do?
It will make it a whole lot easier to see! It will
also make computer work and printing possible without
turning on the generator! And it will keep food cold!
The PV system will be installed in
August 2003 by students in a week-long design and
installation course offered by Debby Tewa, Hopi solar
installer and by Solar Energy International (SEI). The
class is open to both Native and non-Native students, and no
experience is necessary to participate. Students will
learn: the basics of electricity, solar site analysis, PV
system components, and safety procedures prior to applying
their new knowledge in the installation of the system.
We need your help to make this
project happen! The Greenville Foundation grants pays for
most of the hardware, and students in the course will
provide the labor for the installation. Here are some
ways you can help bring light and power to Indian Canyon:
-
Enroll in
the course. Course fees pay for expert instruction
and project supervision and your labor will get the
system mounted and wired up. Course fees are
$550/student.
- Sponsor a full or partial
scholarship for a low-income Native American to
participate in the training.
- Help support the training
with donation of portable toilet rental, table and
chair rental and A/V rental
- Donate or solicit
donations of
- very efficient
refrigerator, solar light tube, and washing
machine, and Energy Star office equipment. Contact
Vivian Gratton at 831-459-8942 for component
specifications..
- lumber and hardware to
build a power shed for the batteries,
inverter, and other components.
- lumber and other
materials for solar ovens and display boards
- skilled labor to drill
hole in granite to install pole mountain for solar
system
- skilled labor to install
electric wiring in the house
- skilled labor to install
solar light tube(s), insulation, etc
- Help with publicity:
Distribute flyers about the
Charko Project Solar Training (electronically, or by
mail, bulletin board.)
Share with other organizations,
tribes, news media, find good weblinks, etc.
- Participate in summer weekend
workshops to build power shed, solar ovens, display
board and site preparation (translate to shovel and
pick axe work). For more information on the dates
of the summer weekend workshop, contact Ann Marie
Sayers at 831-637-4238.
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