From March 24 to 28, a small group of SOLV Energy employees traveled to Chinle, Arizona, for the fourth annual Skip the Grid trip. The SOLV team met up with employees from Nextracker, Heart of America and students from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo University to install Goal Zero Solar Systems in 40 homes that do not have access to grid power. 

All Goal Zero Systems include four 100-watt panels, a 1,500-watt battery, two lights and an electric cooler that can refrigerate or freeze necessities like fresh food and medications. Skip the Grid project partners—a total of 20 employees and 19 Cal Poly SLO students split into five groups—connected with local schools to identify students living without access to reliable power in their homes. This year, 40 installations impacted 90 students throughout Apache County. 

Each system installation is led by Cal Poly SLO students from a wide range of majors. Prior to each trip, students work together to develop installation plans, work schedules, homeowner user guides and more, creating a full-scope opportunity to put their university’s motto, 'learn by doing,’ in action.  

“We had been planning over the past quarter on how to best put the solar panels on each house, dependent on different sun patterns, roof slants and shapes,” Emma Blair, Administrative Support Coordinator and graduate student at Cal Poly SLO shared. “Our studies range from Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, to Sociology and we really put what we learned to work in the Navajo Nation.” 

Like other SOLV Energy initiatives, Skip the Grid creates a ripple effect of good energy that extends beyond the student experience. The trip offers employees from SOLV Energy and Nextracker an opportunity to see firsthand how their work is impacting communities.  

For some employees and students, this year’s trip is their second or third time participating in Skip the Grid. SOLV Energy Director of Operational Excellence Eli Mastin, attended for the first time: “This trip will live with me for a while. Many of those kids would have had to do their homework outside before sunset to have enough light. Now, over 90 kids in school will now be able to do their homework with lights inside and 40 households will be able to safely refrigerate essentials like fresh food and medicine at home.” 

Chinle is the third largest community in the Navajo Nation. The mission of Skip the Grid is two-fold: to expand access not only to clean energy resources, but also to provide opportunities for students to learn about the technology powering their homes. This trip, teams visited five schools within the Chinle Unified School District to share Solar 101 lessons. The hands-on activity included building small DIY solar cars powered by the sun.  

“Education Day holds a special place in my heart,” SOLV’s Marketing Manager Melissa George, reflected. “Watching the kids’ excitement and bright minds come together is always inspiring, making the day even more rewarding—a vibrant reminder of the impact we can have on young lives and the joy of learning!”  

For more information on joining or supporting Skip the Grid, visit heartofamerica.org/partnerresponse.