Source: Energy.GOV
The Karuk Tribe, located in Northern California, has embarked on achieving clean energy goals, as well as reducing dependence on traditional grid energy through the development of multiple grid-tied solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and battery storage. The Karuk Tribe will deploy a 947- kilowatt (kW) ground-mounted solar PV system estimated to offset over 90% of the annual energy consumed at the casino and casino office trailers. The Karuk Tribe will also install solar PV systems coupled with battery backup on each of their 39 tribally owned Elder Homes. Solar PV with battery storage will solve major problems during grid outages by maintaining critical loads at the Elder Homes. Additionally, the Karuk Tribe will power a new Wellness Center with an 18-kW roof-mounted solar PV array estimated to provide a 96% energy offset. In aggregate, solar will provide for nearly 95% of the energy needs for a substantial amount of tribally owned buildings. The Tribe will save an estimated $259,658 in year one and $13,404,241 over a 30-year period.
