GRICUA Held a Groundbreaking for the Olas S-thoñ Solar Project
October 10, 2025
Jeston Morris
Community Newsperson
CHANDLER, Ariz. — The Gila River Indian Community Utility Authority (GRICUA) held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Olas S-thoñ Solar Project, marking a major milestone in the community’s renewable energy effort. The event took place two miles west of the Huhugam Heritage Center off Highway 347 and was attended by Lt. Gov. Regina Atone, council representatives, GRICUA staff, and members from various corporations and departments.
A brief history about the Olas S-thoñ Solar Project: In 2014, the Community and GRICUA began a discussion about incorporating renewable energy. In 2018, GRICUA Board and Community Council authorized a request for proposal (RFP) to identify a project developer. Clenera was selected and began development shortly thereafter.
Between 2018 and 2023, Clenera conducted surveys, cultural resource assessment, system interconnection studies, engineering work, and finalized contract and lease agreements. Most of these components were completed by 2023.
The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in 2022 enabled GRIC and GRICUA to receive direct payments in lieu of Incentive Tax Credit (ITC). These changes made it possible for the Community to own and operate it’s own renewable energy project.
In 2023, GRICUA negotiated with Clenera to purchase the project development which was approved by the board and council in spring of 2024.
GRICUA has since completed the engineering phase and issued an RFP for a construction. White Clay Industries, a Native-owned business, and U.S. Solar were selected to build the project, which is expected to take approximately 18-24 months.
Kenneth Stock, GRICUA general manager, opened the ceremony with welcoming remarks, followed by a traditional blessing from Anthony Gray. Lt. Gov. Regina Antone and Council Representative James De La Rosa gave an inaugural solar speech.
“Today we are doing the groundbreaking and dedication for the Olas S-thoñ Solar Project,” Stock said. “This is GRICUA’s 20-megawatt solar project. It has been in the works for many years and is finally coming to fruition. The Olas S-thoñ Solar Project is the first of its kind in GRIC, it’s a large utility scale solar farm.”
Gray offered a prayer and sang an O’otham song, explaining its cultural significance.
“In O’otham culture, the buzzard is the symbol is renewable energy. Its task is cleaning the earth,” said Gray, culture and language program, manager at TED. “The buzzard is good at harnessing and leveraging the sun’s rays. For example, on a cold morning, it stands facing east with its wings spread to absorb the sun’s heat. The buzzard song reflects harnessing energy from the sun.”
Council Representative De La Rosa, District 5, emphasized the project’s broader impact.
“It’s an honor to be here for the groundbreaking for the Olas S-thoñ solar project,” De La Rosa said. “This occasion marks a step forward in renewable energy and
sustainability. Harnessing the sun’s energy is a significant move toward clean energy. This solar energy will not only power GRIC homes but also local businesses. This project symbolizes GRICUA’s commitment to innovation and environment stewardship.”
Lt. Gov. Regina Antone expressed gratitude to all involved.
“This solar project wouldn’t be possible without the planning by GRICUA staff and departments,” she said. “Thank you to everyone who was part of the solar project, including the constructors and workers. You are making an impact on the future generation. Thank you all for attending this historic groundbreaking.”
“We worked on this solar project in the past, but federal regulations prevented us from moving forward,” Celaya said. “We couldn’t do it at the time. We had the land and financing, and the IRA passage in 2022 was a turning point for GRIC. Seeing this project come to fruition is a huge milestone, not only for the GRIC tribe but also GRICUA.”
Teresa Mandelin, executive director at Pima Leasing & Financing Corp, highlighted the importance of energy sovereignty. “I am super excited about the groundbreaking for the Olas S-thoñ Solar project for two reasons,” Mandelin said. “First, we have been working on this project for several years and it’s finally happening. Second, this is about energy sovereignty. Many tribes buy electricity to power their reservation. Energy sovereignty is where the tribe is energy self-sufficient meaning they produce their own electricity. I am truly excited because GRIC is leading the way in generating their own electric power.”
“This is historic because the dream of becoming energy sufficient with renewable energy is becoming a reality. It provides positive benefits not only to the environment but also the community. This will be the first time GRIC and GRICUA will produce their own electric power,” said Council Representative Kristina Morago, District 3. This project represents the first utility-scale solar development within the Gila River Indian Community, a significant step toward advancing clean energy and sustainability for future generations.
Benefits of solar panels Solar panels generate electricity using sunlight, which is a renewable and clean energy source. They do not produce air pollution or noise, making them suitable for any residential and commercial areas. Over time, solar systems can reduce electricity bills by up to 80 percent, depending on usage and system efficiency. They require minimal maintenance, typically just occasional cleaning.
Arizona’s sunny climate makes solar energy especially effective. Most systems also include energy storage to provide power during cloudy days or nighttime.
Challenges to consider.
The initial cost of purchasing and installing solar panels is high. Materials such as silicon, tempered glass and aluminum are used to protect the panels from weather and damage. Solar panels have a lifespan of 25 to 30 years. Recycling them can be difficult due to the presence of heavy metals, and few facilities currently accept them. Solar energy production depends on sunlight. On cloudy or rainy days, and at night, panels do not generate power. Backup systems help offset this limitation. As the solar farm moves forward, it represents a step toward cleaner energy and long-term sustainability for the Gila River Indian Community.