Red Cloud Renewable

Since 2002, Henry Red Cloud has been working to bring energy sovereignty to his community on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota with the dream of creating a new generation of Solar Warriors. Henry is a fifth generation direct descendant of the infamous Chief Red Cloud (Mahpiya Luta), one of the most renowned American Indian leaders in history, and is dedicated to seeing the vision of his ancestors fulfilled by ushering in a revival of the Lakota people and all Native Americans within seven generations of his great-great-great grandfather. Red Cloud Renewable has helped provide field training and professional certifications to over a thousand individuals from over 70 tribes. Our work is focused within three strategic pillars: Solar Installation Native American students learn about the benefits of solar energy, including reducing electricity bills, solar powered water pumps for gardens, and the potential for energy independence by going “off the grid.” Home Weatherization An all-Native crew runs “The Native to Native Energy Sovereignty” Weatherization program, which is grant-funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. The crew does energy assessments and building retrofits on the reservation, helping create safe, healthy homes. Sustainable Home Building Completed in conjunction with our partners at "In Our Hands," the “Lakota Thiyuha Project” offers innovative housing that is affordable, sustainably built, using cellular concrete and locally harvested lumber, and easy to regulate in extreme temperatures. This project not only helps alleviate stresses related to the housing crisis in our community, but also adds to our mission of workforce development as we hire only Natives for construction projects.