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Navajo Nation getting more electricity through SRP solar panel initiative

Posted at 7:45 PM, Sep 20, 2019
and last updated 2019-09-20 22:45:31-04

NAVAJO NATION, AZ — Mile after mile, in the northernmost part of Arizona, the beautiful desert is now taking advantage of the sun.

It is a desolate area where the wind runs free.

“As you can see behind me, this is Kayenta Solar facility, and it provides enough power to 36,000 homes,” says Patricia Garcia-Likens, spokeswoman for Salt River Project.

The power generated from Kayenta one and Kayenta solar panels not only lights up the Navajo Nation, but it sends electricity to all corners of the state.

This project is part of the “light up the Navajo Nation” initiative ABC15 first reported about in the spring. Close to 100,000 people in Arizona live without power. Now, this project will bring this much-needed resource to many.

“What that means for the Navajo Nation is that they are getting green, emission-free energy and they are also looking very seriously at economic development. What can renewable energy do for them,” adds Garcia-Likens.

The proceeds from this solar facility will help continue to fund the “light up the Navajo Nation" end of the project. The goal is to one day have no one without electric power, and keep creating renewable resources of energy instead of burning fossil fuels.