The Guidiville Indian Rancheria has launched a microgrid project to achieve energy independence on its 43-acre trust land near Ukiah, California.
Led by Sean Ahern of Timberline Renewable Solutions, the initiative aims to provide clean, self-sufficient power to the Tribe.
The project began on February 5, 2025, with partners including Timberline Renewable Solutions, Emtel Energy USA, Harnyss, Colusa Indian Energy, and 7Skyline collaborating to establish a path toward full energy autonomy.
The microgrid is expected to be operational by August 1, 2025, supplying power to 20 existing homes and 16 new micro-homes currently under construction, allowing the community to operate off-grid.
Sean Ahern, Project Lead, stated, “This project is a testament to the Tribe’s leadership in sustainable energy and resilience. By integrating advanced energy storage with solar and hydrogen, we are creating a model for self-sufficient, clean power that will serve the community for generations.”
Phillip Martin, CEO of Emtel Energy USA, added, “The Guidiville Rancheria is taking a bold step toward energy sovereignty. This microgrid not only reduces reliance on external utilities but also strengthens the Tribe’s economic and environmental future.”
The project includes 1.5 MWh of energy storage using Emtel’s electrostatic graphene technology, which provides long-duration, high-efficiency power. Green hydrogen production by Harnyss will supply backup power, while Colusa Indian Energy will install 500 KW of solar energy.
In addition to energy independence, the project will provide workforce training opportunities for Tribal members in renewable energy installation, operations, and maintenance.
Supported by federal and state clean energy initiatives, the initiative serves as a scalable model for sustainable power generation and Tribal energy sovereignty.
