Navajo Transitional Energy Company (NTEC) is proud to announce the completion of the first 15 home solar installations funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for NTEC’s Navajo Sun Power! program. The DOE awarded NTEC $2.6 million in 2024 to support the company's installation of solar units on 125 Navajo homes in rural parts of the Navajo Nation over the next five years. The DOE will cover 75 of the installations and NTEC will cover the cost for the remaining 50 homes.

“We’d like thank the U.S. Department of Energy for its support of NTEC’s Navajo Sun Power! program,” said Vern Lund, chief executive officer for NTEC. “The additional funding provided by DOE allowed us to expand NTEC’s program to provide more solar installations and improve the lives of citizens living on the Navajo Nation. This program makes a real difference in the lives of Navajo people who would not otherwise have access to electricity. We are thrilled to partner with DOE to make this a reality.”

The first 15 installations, completing the DOE funded projects for 2025, took place on homes in the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. According to Park regulations, these homes cannot have transmission lines or running water because they are in the park area. This means that they would not have any other way to generate electricity. All are full-time residents of the park in the Oljato Chapter, with several living on homesteads with multiple families. The new solar capabilities make heating, cooling, running water, and refrigeration possible within the homes, which is critical for the health and well-being of the residents.

“Usually when we go to the store, we buy some perishable food and have to use it up right away before it goes bad. Now we just put it in the fridge and use it later. I think having solar was a very good Christmas present,” said Loretta White, resident of Narrow Canyon. “We can't thank you enough. It's been many years coming.”

Another resident from Monument Valley, Valterra Sayetsitty, added, “It’s very convenient with lights now. I don't have to get gas for the generator anymore and the solar system is excellent and convenient.”

Navajo Sun Power! began in 2020 and has already installed 50 solar systems, worth approximately $1,250,000 on homes on the Navajo Nation. NTEC completed 25 installations beginning with the Western Agency in 2025, and will build 25 more each year thereafter, across the remaining four agencies. The DOE grant and NTEC cover 100 percent of the cost of the solar panel system and batteries, system installation including any minor electrical work necessary for the home to meet Navajo Nation electrical safety codes, and education in the operation and maintenance of the system.

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