It’s sunny and windy on the northern coast of California. So why not put these elements to good use to help power a reservation, expand energy independence and reduce the carbon footprint? That’s the thinking behind the decision by the 577-member Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria to install a renewable microgrid system on their tribal lands in Loleta.

“To the best of our knowledge, this is the first renewable hybrid microgrid installed by a California tribe,” Edwin Smith, director of Environment and Natural Resources, told ICTMN...