Factors for Technological Appropriateness of Renewable Energy Options in Indian Country

Tribes are shifting to investing in renewable energy projects. Technological appropriateness is fundamental to knowing which renewable energy project is a viable investment for tribes. Because tribes have limited resources, they need to know two primary aspects of technological appropriateness:  mechanical efficiency and economic efficiency. Both are based on the geography of the reservation. Using GIS, I have evaluated the mechanical and economic efficiency of solar, biodiesel and wind renewable energy systems for every reservation in the United States. In addition, I have examined in more depth the Yakama, Standing Rock Sioux, and the St. Regis Mohawk reservations to determine what mix of these technologies to create an effective renewable energy portfolio based on several factors that could affect tribes’ investment decisions. The goal of this research is to provide tribes with a tool that will help them to partner with government and academic institutions to build renewable energy systems to strengthen the tribe’s sovereignty.