Post by Okwes on Jan 13, 2008 17:51:53 GMT -5
United Indian Health Services installs solar panels at clinic by Laura
Provolt, 4/1/2007 United Indian Health Services Inc. installed solar
panels at the Potawot Health Village Clinic to provide 25 percent of the energy
for the clinic Thursday and Friday.
UIHS Chief Executive Officer Jerome Simone said the solar panels are the
beginning of the completion of the new buildings constructed in 2001. He said
the solar panels are an affirmation of the Native American concept of leaving a
light footprint on the environment, and the goal is for the clinic to
eventually be fueled 100 percent by solar energy.
Paula Allen, with the traditional resources program at the clinic, said the
solar panel project began a year ago and was funded by contributions from
local tribes, businesses, a startup grant from the Will Reid Foundation and a
$250,000 grant from the California Health Facility Financing Authority.
"The board of directors has been very supportive and very forward thinking
about this project and other projects that benefit not only physical health
but environmental health," Allen said. "One of the big things is educating
both the Indian community and the community in general about the importance of
sustainability, and to show how this ties into native values."
She said the solar panels are a 40-kilowatt system and will provide a
quarter of the energy required by the clinic.
Eric Johnson, who is also in the traditional resources program, said the
solar panels for this project will cover the roof of one building and half the
roof of another. The project is planned to eventually cover nearly all the
roofs of the clinic and to generate all its power, and would cost around $1
million.
Johnson said local solar panel expert Roger and his Merry Band of Solar
Installers, as well as Humboldt State University´s Schatz Energy Lab, helped with
the project.
For more information, phone the UIHS Traditional Resources Program at
707-825-5000.
Provolt, 4/1/2007 United Indian Health Services Inc. installed solar
panels at the Potawot Health Village Clinic to provide 25 percent of the energy
for the clinic Thursday and Friday.
UIHS Chief Executive Officer Jerome Simone said the solar panels are the
beginning of the completion of the new buildings constructed in 2001. He said
the solar panels are an affirmation of the Native American concept of leaving a
light footprint on the environment, and the goal is for the clinic to
eventually be fueled 100 percent by solar energy.
Paula Allen, with the traditional resources program at the clinic, said the
solar panel project began a year ago and was funded by contributions from
local tribes, businesses, a startup grant from the Will Reid Foundation and a
$250,000 grant from the California Health Facility Financing Authority.
"The board of directors has been very supportive and very forward thinking
about this project and other projects that benefit not only physical health
but environmental health," Allen said. "One of the big things is educating
both the Indian community and the community in general about the importance of
sustainability, and to show how this ties into native values."
She said the solar panels are a 40-kilowatt system and will provide a
quarter of the energy required by the clinic.
Eric Johnson, who is also in the traditional resources program, said the
solar panels for this project will cover the roof of one building and half the
roof of another. The project is planned to eventually cover nearly all the
roofs of the clinic and to generate all its power, and would cost around $1
million.
Johnson said local solar panel expert Roger and his Merry Band of Solar
Installers, as well as Humboldt State University´s Schatz Energy Lab, helped with
the project.
For more information, phone the UIHS Traditional Resources Program at
707-825-5000.