Hopi Nation Securing Remote Water Supply with Solar and Storage Microgrid

The Hopi Tribe is moving forward with a solar and battery energy storage microgrid thanks to a $4,165,796 million grant awarded the Department of Energy (DOE) earlier this month.

The microgrid will power two water wells on the Hopi Reservation in northeast Arizona.

The wells will deliver water to two villages via a pipeline currently being developed as part of the Side Rock Water Supply project, an ongoing effort to provide reliable water for the Hopi Tribe. The wells are in a remote area with no grid access and will replace the tribe’s existing water source, which can no longer sufficiently meet the needs of the Hopi community.

More than 230 residential and 14 commercial customers in the villages of Upper and Lower Moenkopi will benefit from improved water security because of the microgrid. The communities are separated from the main Hopi land and water supply.

The microgrid is expected to lower energy costs and open new economic opportunities currently not possible because of water shortages.

It will be owned by the Hopi Utilities Corporation (HUC). The Hopi Tribe will contribute $462,867 of the project’s total cost of $4.63 million, with the remaining funds provided by the DOE.  

“This project means Hopi families will have a steady, reliable water source,” said Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ), who announced the DOE funding award with Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) earlier this month.

“By using solar power to run these wells, they’re lowering costs and making sure the community has the water it needs for years to come,” Kelly added.

Microgrid will be fully remote

The microgrid will include 250 kW of solar power, 1,200 kWh of battery energy storage, a microgrid controller and around 1.5 miles of distribution line to connect the two sites.

The system will not be connected to the power grid.

HUC will receive support from Woven Energy, a renewable energy advisory firm that assists tribes seeking energy independence.

HUC will also hire and train one technician to operate and maintain the microgrid.

“Clean water is vital for community health and economic development, and this innovative project will ensure that some of the most remote parts of the Hopi Reservation have reliable access for years to come,” Gallego said. 

Microgrids provide energy sovereignty for Tribes

Many Native American tribes are installing microgrids to enhance their energy sovereignty. 

Tribes in California, Maine, North Carolina and beyond are harnessing the sun and water to power critical services, improving reliability, reducing reliance on outside service providers and lowering energy costs.