Gallup Solar Mural
By Be Sargent
That group of citizens being approached by Ender on his bicycle, also a member, is Gallup Solar. We are observing the construction of Gallup’s Municipal Solar Power Plant. All are there, except for Sister Pat Bietsch who is driving the crane. Some are more recognizable than others. The youngest member in the center of the leftmost group under the structure is Ezekial. (A piece of the scaffolding is unavoidably shown.)
Gallup Solar was formed in March 2007 by five women on a trip to hear Jane Goodall. In the car we decided we wanted solar power in Gallup. (See group photo.)
Left to right: Be Sargent, Pat Sheely, Jane’s secretary, Jane Goodall, Sister Rose Marie Cecchini, Sister Joan Brown, Betsy Windisch, Sister Maureen Houlihan.
Rose Marie Cecchini named the group.
Our first event on the summer solstice of 2007 was attended by seventy-five Gallupians, many are still with us. The next morning at a breakfast meeting we decided to meet weekly on Wednesdays at 113 East Logan Avenue, although meeting every day would have been optimal considering the ongoing fact of climate change.
We have met every Wednesday since.
Although Gallup Solar has not realized its dream of a 40 MW plant, we have gotten many to share it.
Some of our accomplishments:
As shown in the detail above, see Gallup Solar, center. See also proposed parking and hook-ups for electric cars and, top right, very small, Gallup Solar members checking out the old solar heating system on the Federal Building, now replaced with 55 KW Solar PV installed by Sacred Power. Please ignore GHS, that story is a future installment.
• Resolutions of support from the City and County
• Two residential installations including one on a Habitat For Humanity home
• One business installation
• 50 KW for Gallup High, quickly followed by 55 KW for the Federal
Building
• Three annual Solar Forums at the Navajo Nation Museum.
• Annual participation in three Water and Energy Awareness Days for the schools
• The creation of the Gallup Sustainable Energy Board
• The facilitation of a grid-tie ordinance by city council
• Four delegations to National Solar Conferences
• Status as a 501c3 charitable organization under the IRS code.
• Member of the Gallup-McKinley County Chamber of Commerce
• Hiring of an outreach coordinator
• Publication of a monthly newsletter and “How To Go Solar”
• Creation of a website & Facebook account
We welcome everyone to our weekly meetings. We feature speakers from various parts of the industry and environmental disciplines. Free refreshments are served.
