Tribal Energy Alternatives (TEA) is an affiliate of GRID Alternatives that advocates for the development of environmental projects it claims would reduce carbon emissions on tribal reservations as well as developing independent weather-dependent energy infrastructure including solar power for tribal nations. The group also claims to provide training, investment, and workforce education towards the development of such projects. ^{1 2}

Affiliated Organizations

The parent company of Tribal Energy Alternatives (TEA), GRID Alternatives, was founded in 2001 to advocate the development of solar energy infrastructure to low-income communities. The group has also advocated against the use of nuclear energy as an alternative to traditional forms of energy, calling it “dirty.” In 2019, GRID signed a joint letter addressed to Congress advocating passage of the Green New Deal. ^{3 4} In 2024, GRID Alternatives received two grants of $249.8 million and $62.5 million from the Environmental Protection Agency‘s (EPA) Solar for All Initiative for constructing solar energy infrastructure for “low-income and disadvantaged communities.” (LIDACs). ⁵

The Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund (TSAF) is also a GRID-affiliated organization formed in 2018 through a grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation for the purpose of developing and funding solar energy projects while providing workforce training. The TSAF claims to have funded roughly 27 tribal grantees, installed 87 solar systems, and trained over 120 tribal members. Supporters include the Bezos Earth Fund, the Intuit Foundation via American Online Giving Foundation, the Sempra Energy Foundation, General Motors, the Illumina Foundation, and the Grove Foundation. ^{6 7}

Background

Tribal Energy Alternatives (TEA) claims to provide support for the project implementation of green energy projects including installation, equipment, labor, and construction technical assistance for grant writing, planning, community outreach, workforce development and training, and administering project spending. ⁶

Partners

Tribal partners include the Spokane, Big Pine Paiute, Oglala Sioux, and Alaska Native communities. Government partners include California State Programs with the California Energy Commission while Wells Fargo Foundation serves as primary philanthropic partner. ⁸

Funding

Tribal Energy Alternatives (TEA) has previously received funding from the Denali Commission, the Bydale Foundation, the Rasmuson Foundation, US Bank, Intuit, Bezos Earth Fund, Illumination, The Grove Foundation, Sempra, and General Motors. ⁹

TSAF was also previously listed as being partially funded with matching grants from the Department of Energy (DOE), IRS tax credits (up to 70% of project costs), and Indian Energy grants. ¹⁰

1. “Home – Tribal Energy Alternatives.” Tribal Energy Alternatives -, April 22, 2025. Accessed May 19, 2025. https://www.tribalalternatives.org/.
2. “Grants – Tribal Energy Alternatives.” Tribal Energy Alternatives -, April 17, 2025. Accessed May 19, 2025. https://www.tribalalternatives.org/grants/.
3. “Mission and History.” GRID Alternatives. Accessed May 19, 2025. https://gridalternatives.org/who-we-are/mission-history.
4. January 10, 2019. “Group Letter to Congress Urging Green New Deal Passage.” Earthworks, November 12, 2021. Accessed May 19, 2025. https://earthworks.org/resources/group-letter-to-congress-urging-green-new-deal-passage/.
5. Braun, Ken. “Low-Quality Energy for the LIDACs and $21.8 Billion in Waste from the EPA.” Capital Research Center, January 16, 2025. https://capitalresearch.org/article/low-quality-energy-for-the-lidacs-and-21-8-billion-in-waste-from-the-epa/
6. “Impact – Tribal Energy Alternatives.” Tribal Energy Alternatives -, April 21, 2025. Accessed May 19, 2025. https://www.tribalalternatives.org/impact/.
7. “2022 Impact Report” Tribal Energy Alternatives. Accessed May 19, 2025. https://www.tribalalternatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2022-TSAF-Impact-Report.pdf
8. “Renewable Energy Advances Energy Sovereignty in US Tribal Communities.” GRID Alternatives. Accessed May 19, 2025. https://gridalternatives.org/headquarters/news/renewable-energy-advances-energy-sovereignty-us-tribal-communities.
9. “Funding Partners – Tribal Energy Alternatives.” Tribal Energy Alternatives -, March 25, 2025. Accessed May 19, 2025. https://www.tribalalternatives.org/funding-partners/.
10. Resilience. “Native Organizations Fill Gaps in Federal Support for Tribal Renewable Energy, Healing Native Communities.” resilience, February 25, 2025. Accessed May 19, 2025. https://www.resilience.org/stories/2025-01-22/native-organizations-fill-gaps-in-federal-support-for-tribal-renewable-energy-healing-native-communities/.