Oct 28, 2011 As the sun rises over the mountains, a glimmer of
light reflects off the Yurok Tribe building in Weitchpec, Calif.
The glint of sunlight bounces off an array of new solar panels,
recently installed with the help of Humboldt State’s Schatz
Energy Research Center—the newest energy project in a
partnership that spans over a decade. Since 1999, Schatz Lab has
worked with the Yurok Tribe on several grants, studies and
energy projects to improve sustainability. Past projects have
included a fuel-cell system to provide back up power to a radio
repeater station, a feasibility study for hydroelectric and wind
energy development and energy audits of over fifty tribal
households and multiple government buildings. Most recently,
local solar experts, Roger and his Merry Band of Solar
Installers, outfitted the Tribe with a solar electric system.
The Tribe also performed energy efficiency upgrades in its
Weitchpec tribal office and is working to install energy
efficiency upgrades at its Klamath office. “Steward