NAVAJO COMMUNITY GETS SOLAR POWER, WINS GOVERNOR'S AWARD

Dependable Solar Products employee helped make project a success

(NAVAJO NATION, Ariz.) October 6, 2009: The Navajo community of Oak Ridge, a remote community about forty miles from Kayenta, has electricity for the first time thanks to Dependable Solar Products of Mesa, the Navajo Nation Council, the Black Mesa Chapter, the Arizona Department of Commerce and Dineh Cooperatives, Inc. The installation of solar electric systems for ten Oak Ridge homes has earned the Black Mesa Chapter the "Governor's Rural Development Conference Excellence Award for Renewable Energy."

Located in one of the most remote areas on the reservation, solar power was the best option for bringing electricity to Oak Ridge. Community members agreed that solar power would provide electricity while preserving their native culture, but finding a Navajo contractor to do the job became a problem. Fortunately, they found Kevin Begay, a Navajo who is a principal in Dependable Solar Products.

"When I explained the scope of work to Kevin, he knew Dependable Solar Products had the skills, manpower, resources and determination to make this project a success," said Michelle Redmond, project manager and consultant for the Black Mesa Chapter. "He has a cultural connection with the people, speaks the language and understood from personal experience what it's like to live without electricity." Funding from the Navajo Nation legislature work began in November, 2008 with a group of committed workers from on and off the reservation, Begay battled rain showers, snowstorms, muddy roads, high winds and other obstacles to see the job through.

"These are traditional people who like the fact that this electricity comes from the sun and not from fossil fuels," said Kevin Begay of Dependable Solar Products. "They are proud of their community's leap forward, and proud to be part of the planet's energy solution."

Each home received six photovoltaic modules that generate 2.3 KW hours of electricity daily and storage batteries to power lights and energy efficient appliances. A documentary on the Black Mesa Photovoltaic Project has been filmed for distribution across the reservation.

ETA Engineering, Inc., and its affiliate Dependable Solar Products, Inc., offer engineering, consulting, design, project management and installation on a turnkey basis. ETA distributes and manufactures a full line of renewable energy products and has designed and installed photovoltaic lighting systems from small remote applications to large renewable power plants of all sizes. The company is also active in efforts toward village electrification in emerging countries. For more information, visit: ETA Engineering or Dependable Solar Products

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Bill Andres