The Guidiville Indian Rancheria has officially launched a transformative microgrid project aimed at achieving energy independence on its 43-acre trust land near Ukiah, California. Led by Sean Ahern of Timberline Renewable Solutions, the initiative will provide clean, reliable, and independent power to the Tribe.
The project was kicked off on February 5, 2025, with key partners including Timberline Renewable Solutions, Emtel Energy USA, Harnyss, Colusa Indian Energy, and 7Skyline coming together to outline the path toward full energy autonomy. The microgrid is set to be operational by August 1, 2025, and will serve 20 existing homes and 16 new micro-homes under construction, enabling the entire community to go off-grid.
Sean Ahern, Project Lead, said “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, mentioned, “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 features 1.5 MWh of energy storage through Emtel’s electrostatic graphene technology, offering safe, long-duration, high-efficiency power. Additionally, green hydrogen production by Harnyss will provide sustainable backup power, while 500 KW of solar energy will be installed by Colusa Indian Energy.
Beyond providing energy independence, the project will also offer workforce training opportunities for Tribal members, equipping them with skills in renewable energy installation, operations, and maintenance. This microgrid project is part of a larger movement toward Tribal energy sovereignty, supported by both federal and state clean energy initiatives, and serves as a scalable, long-term model for sustainable power generation.
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