Solar & Energy Security for Indigenous Communities
Supporting First Nations in Building a Brighter, Cleaner Future
Energy Projects Built With Respect, Collaboration, and Long-Term Support
At EVOLV, our work with First Nations begins with listening. We take time to understand each Community’s vision, priorities, and long-term goals before any design or development takes place. This ensures every project truly serves the community and aligns with its vision. Our approach is grounded in:
Relationship building: We take the time to learn from Chief and Council, Staff, and Community members, recognizing the importance of trust and collaboration.
Transparency & accountability: Open communication and clear expectations from concept to completion.
Trust: We are committed to becoming a trusted partner, not just during installation, but for the entire lifecycle of your energy projects.
Capacity building: We support training and employment opportunities to create long-term community expertise.
NATIONS aND ORGANIZATIONS WE SUPPORT
BENEFITS TO YOUR COMMUNITY
Cost Savings
Lower utility bills allow funds to be redirected into community programs, housing, and infrastructure.
Lock in your energy costs for the next 30+ years, effectively protecting your community from rising power prices.
Community Wellbeing
Opportunity for community members for employment, training, and long term skill development.
Solar pathway lighting enhances safety, supports recreation, and Community health.
Energy Sovereignty
Solar and battery allow for greater control over your Community’s energy resources.
Battery storage provides resilience during outages and reduces reliance on diesel or unstable grids.
Environmental Stewardship
How EVOLV can Help
Solar and Battery Storage Systems: Providing resiliency and green power for Community buildings, housing developments, and critical infrastructure.
Grant Writing and Government Funding: Once EVOLV have an understanding of the vision for your project, we will source government funding, also writing and submitting applications with your guidance. Having been awarded over $12M across various funds, this is one of our superpowers, so to speak.
Capacity Building: Opportunities for employment, training, and long-term skill development.
Solar Pathway Lighting: Connect your community, promote safety, and encourage healthy lifestyles with multi-use pathways illuminated by solar lighting. Projects qualify for the ATF funding program.
Community Microgrids and Resilience Projects: Community Energy Planning, diesel generator reduction to large-scale project implementation.
Our Indigenous Solar Projects
Every project EVOLV delivers is designed with the community’s voice at the centre and supported through each stage of development.
For my family, going solar wasn’t just about saving on energy bills, it’s about honouring our ancestors and the way they lived in reciprocity with the lands, animals and waters. This is one way we will honour that in this new technological advanced age. They understood the importance of taking only what was needed and giving back to the land in return. By reducing our footprint and harnessing the power of the sun, we hope to walk a little lighter and do our part in protecting this world for our future generations.
Proven Success in Identifying and Securing funding
Many of our Indigenous projects are supported by federal and provincial funding, and we have a strong track record of securing approvals on behalf of communities, with over $20 million awarded to date. Our team provides full support – researching opportunities, developing project scopes, preparing technical documents, and delivering complete submissions.
We help communities access funding from programs such as:
- – Green Infrastructure and Community Buildings Program (GICB)
- – Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREPs)
- – Active Transportation Fund (ATF)
- – Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities (CEDR)
- – Additional Indigenous-specific programs as they become available
We handle the complexity so your community can focus on decision-making and long-term planning.
FAQ
We begin every project by listening. Our team meets with leadership, staff, and community members to understand your priorities, challenges, and long-term vision. This ensures that the project we design is community-driven and aligned with your strategic goals, whether they involve cost savings, energy sovereignty, resilience, or infrastructure improvements.
Our support begins with project scoping and funding applications and continues through engineering, installation, commissioning, and training. After installation, we remain involved through maintenance plans, monitoring support, and future expansion opportunities. We aim to be a long-term partner, not just a contractor.
We offer a range of renewable energy and infrastructure solutions, including:
Solar PV systems for community buildings and housing
Battery storage for energy security and resilience
Solar pathway and street lighting for safety and mobility
Microgrid and diesel-reduction solutions
Hybrid clean energy systems and community energy planning
Yes. We provide full end-to-end support: technical documents, budgets, project descriptions, emissions reductions, letters of support, and final submission. Our team has a strong track record of successful approvals.
Typically, we require:
Property or building details
Utility data (if applicable)
Community priorities and long-term goals
Any existing energy studies or Community Plans
Confirmation of leadership support
From there, we handle the technical scoping and financial modelling.
Simply reach out to our Indigenous Projects Team. We can set up an introductory call, review available funding opportunities, and begin shaping a project that supports your community’s goals.
EVOLV Acknowledge the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.