United Indian Health Services contacted SERC to enlist our help with their ambitious plan to put a large solar electric system on the roof of the Potawot Health Village, UIHS’s headquarters in Arcata. UIHS provides comprehensive health care for Tribe members on California’s north coast. We helped UIHS to develop the project concept and secure funding from the State of California.
An aerial photograph of the United Indian Health Services facility.
A local professional solar contractor installed the 40-kW photovoltaic (PV) system, but UIHS wanted to take extra steps to ensure their clients, employees, and the local community all got the clean energy message. UIHS hired SERC to perform quality assurance for the new system, provide a real-time solar output monitoring system, and develop interpretive materials to educate Potawot visitors about the benefits of going solar.
The monitoring equipment will let UIHS maintenance staff as well as the public view present and cumulative power and energy production by the PV system. Plans for interpretive materials include an indoor display at the health center with a video monitor displaying system data and an illustrated display showing how renewable energy and native cultures share a long history and a promising future.
