Families on the Pine Ridge Reservation will soon have access to clean, reliable power at the community’s first district laundromat, thanks to a continued partnership between Everybody Solar and One Spirit, a nonprofit supporting the Oglala Lakota Nation.
Building on years of collaboration, the two nonprofits are installing a 18-kW rooftop solar array with battery backup at the newly opened laundromat facility. Once operational, the system will generate approximately 25,672 kWh of clean electricity annually, offsetting utility costs.
“Reliable energy is transformative for Pine Ridge,” said Myriam Scally, executive director of Everybody Solar. “This project ensures residents have not only a vital daily resource, but a community-powered space that remains open when it’s needed most, like during outages, extreme weather or cultural gatherings.”
The laundromat, which opened in January, is the first facility of its kind on the reservation, where previously families often traveled miles round trip for basic laundry access. The building is connected to a youth-centered gathering space and community garden. Local residents were trained in solar construction and are helping install the array, and will maintain it post-installation.
Through the addition of solar and storage, the laundromat will now serve as a community resilience hub, a place where residents can gather for safety during outages, and where youth programs and ceremonies can continue uninterrupted.
“One Spirit’s mission has always been about dignity, culture and self-sufficiency,” said Jeri Baker, executive director of One Spirit. “This project embodies that vision. By combining renewable energy with local leadership, we’re ensuring this essential service is sustained for years to come and that the Lakota community continues to lead with resilience and care.”
Everybody Solar and One Spirit have worked together since 2017, successfully completing several renewable energy projects on the Pine Ridge Reservation, including installations at the Allen Youth & Community Center (2017) and Lakota Buffalo House (2019), as well as battery backup systems.
News item from Everybody Solar
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Facts Only
Actors: Everybody Solar, One Spirit
Actions: Collaboration, solar installation, battery backup system installation
Events: Ongoing partnership since 2017, completion of renewable energy projects, installation at new laundromat
Timeline: Ongoing collaboration starting in 2017; installation at new laundromat not specified
Locations: Pine Ridge Reservation
Institutions: None specified
Executive Summary
Full Take
The partnership between Everybody Solar and One Spirit aims to improve the quality of life for families on the Pine Ridge Reservation by providing clean, reliable power at the community’s first district laundromat. This project is a part of a larger effort to combat energy poverty, as many residents have faced difficulties accessing basic laundry services due to the lack of facilities. The addition of solar and storage technology transforms the laundromat into a community resilience hub, providing a safe space during outages and ensuring the continuity of youth programs and ceremonies.
While this project embodies the mission of One Spirit to promote dignity, culture, and self-sufficiency, it is important to question the long-term impact of such initiatives. Are they truly empowering communities or perpetuating a dependency on external aid? Moreover, what are the broader systemic issues that contribute to energy poverty in indigenous communities like the Oglala Lakota Nation?
Patterns detected: ARC-0043 Motte-and-Bailey (The project is presented as self-sufficient and empowering, but it involves ongoing collaboration with external organizations), ARC-0024 Ambiguity (The long-term impact of such initiatives is not clearly defined).