What Red Cloud Renewable does

Red Cloud Renewable is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota that delivers renewable energy workforce training, weatherization services, and sustainable building construction to Native American communities. Founded by Chief Henry Red Cloud, a fifth-generation descendant of Chief Mahpiya Luta, the organization operates the Red Cloud Renewable Energy Center (RCREC) campus featuring the Sacred Earth Lodge, residential training facilities, and solar installation labs. Its core programs include the Solar Warrior Workforce Academy (a hybrid online/in-person solar installer training combining 72 hours of SEI coursework with two-week residential technical instruction), the BRIDGE program for Native women, the Pre-Apprenticeship Readiness Program (Pre-ARP), the Energy Sovereignty weatherization program, and the Sustainable Building program utilizing cellular concrete and compressed earth block construction.

The organization generates revenue through a diversified nonprofit model: training program sponsorships at $2,500 per participant from tribal workforce agencies, energy departments, housing authorities, and renewable energy employers; individual and corporate donations under the "One Donation Three Impacts" framework; corporate partnerships including equipment donations and volunteer days; and federal grants, notably $3.15 million from the U.S. Department of Energy across the Weatherization Assistance Program and Solar Energy Technologies Office between 2022 and 2023. Since founding, Red Cloud Renewable has trained over 1,100 Indigenous students, installed more than 670 kilowatts of solar capacity, and weatherized 30 homes in 2025 alone.

Cumulatively, the organization reports 1,200+ solar furnaces installed in Native homes, 670+ kilowatts of solar deployed, and documented 40%+ utility bill reductions for weatherized households. Its operating geographies remain primarily Pine Ridge-focused, though board representation from the Modoc Nation and recent off-reservation fundraising activities in Colorado suggest early-stage multi-tribal scaling. A fire-damaged training facility and lack of disclosed recurring revenue contracts represent notable operational and financial risks despite strong program-level momentum.

Name

Red Cloud Renewable

Legal name

Red Cloud Renewable

Website

https://redcloudrenewable.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Red Cloud Renewable is a Pine Ridge Reservation-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free solar installation, weatherization, and sustainable building training to Native American communities through sponsored workforce cohorts and on-reservation energy retrofit services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Renewable Energy Workforce Development & Sustainable Building Services

NAICS

Solar Electric Power Generation (221114), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991)

akta.pro primary industry

Solar Workforce, Training & Safety Services (Installer Training, Certification, EHS) (EUAMABAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Renewable Distributed Generation (Rooftop/Onsite Solar, Small Wind, Small Hydro) (EUACALAJ), Distributed Generation (DG) Solar & Small Wind (EUAMAJAD), Forestry, Land Use & REDD+ Programs (BPADALAF)

Keywords

• Renewable energy training
• Solar workforce development
• Weatherization services
• Sustainable building construction
• Energy efficiency retrofits

Headquarters

HQ city

Pine Ridge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Red Cloud Renewable operates primarily through donations from individuals, monthly supporters, and major gift donors. The organization promotes 'One Donation Three Impacts' model where donations fund free training for Native students, solar panel installations for families, and CO2 reduction.
2. Training Program Sponsorship: Organizations sponsor cohorts of participants at $2,500 per participant for the Solar Warrior Workforce Academy. Sponsors include tribal workforce development programs, tribal energy departments, tribal housing authorities, workforce agencies, utilities, and renewable energy employers.
3. Corporate Partnerships and Equipment Donations: Companies can sponsor training cohorts, donate equipment (solar panels, batteries, tools, safety gear), participate in corporate volunteer days, sponsor events, or co-apply for grants to support the organization.
4. Stock Gifting and Planned Giving: Accepts appreciated stock donations as well as bequests and beneficiary designations through wills, living trusts, life insurance policies, and retirement accounts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Red Cloud Renewable is a Native American-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers sponsored solar installation workforce training cohorts, free weatherization and energy audit services to tribal members on Pine Ridge Reservation, and sustainable building construction using cellular concrete and compressed earth block techniques. Its portfolio combines paid organizational cohort sponsorships ($2,500 per participant) with grant- and donation-funded free services to Native participants and households.

Product overview

Red Cloud Renewable is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates multiple workforce development and service programs focused on renewable energy, weatherization, and sustainable building for Native American communities. The core portfolio includes the Solar Warrior Workforce Academy (a hybrid online/in-person solar installation training program), the B.R.I.D.G.E. program (women-only solar training), Pre-ARP (pre-apprenticeship readiness), the Energy Sovereignty Program (energy audits and home retrofits), the Sustainable Building Program (cellular concrete and CEB construction), and the Energy Sovereignty Training Program. These programs work together to provide free training, certifications (OSHA-10, CPR, SEI coursework), and hands-on installation experience while delivering actual solar and weatherization services to families on Pine Ridge Reservation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Solar Warrior Workforce Academy (SWWA) Immersive Indigenous-led renewable energy workforce training program that prepares sponsored cohorts for solar careers through approximately 72 hours of online SEI/OSHA-10/CPR coursework plus a two-week residential hands-on installation lab at the Red Cloud Renewable Energy Center on Pine Ridge Reservation. Designed for sponsoring tribal workforce programs, energy departments, housing authorities, utilities, renewable energy employers, and tribal colleges.
• B.R.I.D.G.E. Program (Bridging Renewable Industry Divides in Gender Equality) Women-only, Native American-focused solar installation class blending hands-on technical training with cultural relevance to empower women to bring renewable energy to their communities while honoring their heritage. Includes a 150-hour intensive course combining online and hands-on instruction; graduates are certified solar installers.
• Pre-ARP (Pre-Apprenticeship Readiness Program) Solar pre-apprenticeship readiness program that prepares Native American and Alaska Native individuals for hands-on solar work and future apprenticeship or workforce opportunities through online coursework and in-person lab training at the Pine Ridge campus.
• Energy Sovereignty Program Program providing comprehensive energy audits (blower door testing, infrared thermography, duct leakage testing) and retrofits (insulation upgrades, air sealing, heating system improvements) for low-income enrolled Oglala Lakota tribal members on Pine Ridge Reservation, delivered by an all-Native weatherization crew to reduce utility bills and improve home resilience.
• Sustainable Building Program Program constructing durable hexagon-shaped homes for Pine Ridge Reservation using cellular concrete (lightweight foam-infused material with high insulation value) and compressed earth block (CEB) construction with natural on-site materials, while training local Native crews in sustainable building practices.
• Energy Sovereignty Training Program Training program equipping participants with weatherization techniques including Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) overview, safe work practices, building science basics, air sealing, combustion safety, and hands-on lab training for improving energy efficiency in Native community homes.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40%+ reduction in utility bills for weatherized homes
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Old Town PuttminorOthers · 21 September 2025Fort Collins mini-golf venue owner Dana Snell partnered to host 'Putt for the Planet' fundraiser supporting Red Cloud Renewable's mission, featuring mini-golf tournament, cultural performances, and silent auction.
• Zion White Bison ResortminorOthers · 29 July 2024Presented a white buffalo calf to the Pine Ridge Reservation in a sacred ceremony, with Chief Henry Red Cloud invited to speak on the spiritual significance for the Oglala Lakota community.
• Re-MembercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative organization that helped expand the old workshop building to include dorms, a kitchen, and space for learning and sharing knowledge, which became the Sacred Earth Lodge - the home base for Indigenous-led solar training.
• De Beaumont FoundationminorOthersSponsored the 2025 Earth Day Wacipi event celebrating Unci Maka (Grandmother Earth) with prayer, song, dance, learning, and shared meals.
• Alliance for Tribal Clean EnergyminorOthersSponsored the 2025 Earth Day Wacipi event supporting tribal clean energy initiatives.
• American Solar Energy Society (ASES)minorOthersSponsored the 2025 Earth Day Wacipi event promoting renewable energy and sustainability.
• The Kristina and William Cato FoundationminorOthersFoundation sponsor of the 2025 Earth Day Wacipi event.
• Nomadic Tipi MakersminorOthersSponsored the 2025 Earth Day Wacipi event.
• Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health BoardminorOthersSponsored the 2025 Earth Day Wacipi event supporting community health and wellness.
• Jackson Air HVAC & Blower Door TestingminorOthersSponsored the 2025 Earth Day Wacipi event; provides HVAC and blower door testing services.
• Solar Energy International (SEI)coreTechnology or IntegrationProvides renewable energy coursework for the Solar Warrior Workforce Academy, including PV 101 online solar training as part of the approximately 72 hours of online coursework participants complete before residential training.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy: Coalition supporting tribal clean energy initiatives including workforce development. Operates in adjacent space with overlapping mission but is more advocacy/coordination-focused than direct training delivery, making it a complementary peer.
• Per Scholas: National nonprofit providing no-cost technology workforce training including IT and emerging energy sectors. Comparable training-for-underrepresented-populations model, though more IT-focused than solar-specific.
• Lakota Solar Enterprises: Founded by Chief Henry Red Cloud before Red Cloud Renewable, Lakota Solar Enterprises was one of the first Native-owned renewable energy companies. Closely linked historical peer with shared founder and overlapping market.

Broad incumbents

• Rewiring America: National nonprofit focused on electrifying homes and workforce development for the clean energy transition. Operates broadly across underserved communities with larger resources and federal policy advocacy — adjacent to but broader than Red Cloud Renewable's tribal-specific focus.
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) - Indian Energy Programs: Federal research lab supporting tribal energy development through training, technical assistance, and resource development. Indirect peer given overlapping mission but significantly larger scale and federal mandate.

Direct peers

• GRID Alternatives: National nonprofit delivering solar installation and workforce training with a focus on underserved communities. Most directly comparable in mission and model — both provide free solar training that results in real installations for low-income families, though GRID Alternatives operates nationally and is not Indigenous-led.
• Solar Energy International (SEI): SEI provides the renewable energy coursework (PV 101) integrated into Red Cloud Renewable's Solar Warrior Workforce Academy. As a solar training provider with deep curriculum expertise, SEI is a direct peer in the renewable energy education space and a strategic partner.

Others

• Vote Solar: Clean energy advocacy organization that awarded Red Cloud Renewable's founder the 2025 Dr. Espanola Jackson Energy Justice Award. Operates in adjacent policy/advocacy space rather than direct training delivery.
• Solar Foundation / Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC): Workforce development and credentialing organization for the renewable energy industry. Comparable focus on solar workforce certification and industry-recognized credentials but operates as industry coordinator rather than direct training provider.

Regional players

• Inter-Tribal Energy Coalition: Coalition representing multiple tribal nations on energy sovereignty issues. Comparable mission around Indigenous-led energy independence, though focused more on policy coordination than direct training delivery.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/RedCloudRenewable
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/red-cloud-renewable

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Red Cloud Renewable