Agrivoltaic Convening and Project from Huurav, the First Native-Owned Energy Financing Initiative

Huurav Energy, the first Native-owned energy financing initiative unlocking stalled Tribal clean energy projects across the U.S., is hosting an Agrivoltaic Farming Convening on March 2, 2026, 4 - 8 p.m. MST, at the BlueWater Resort and Casino, on the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) Reservation. The event will gather Tribal members, allottee owners, community elders and leadership, farmers, impact investors, and technical partners to share information about co-locating crops with solar panels, as well as details and feedback on a planned agrivoltaic project on allotted land on the CRIT Reservation. The project is part of the first cohort of a new technical assistance program focused on agrivoltaics run by the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) in collaboration with American Farmland Trust. On March 3, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. MST, Huurav will also host an agrivoltaic project site visit, as well as a tour of the Blythe Intaglios.

National Lab Support for Huurav Agrivoltaic Project Proposed on Tribal Allotted Land

Conceived as a model for how clean energy development can support food systems, water efficiency, climate resilience, and economic stability while maintaining allottee control, Huurav's agrivoltaic project at CRIT would integrate solar infrastructure with continued farming on approximately 10 acres of allotted land. Elevated solar panels can reduce soil temperatures and evaporation, supporting crop resilience and more efficient water use in desert environments.

“At its core, this is about ownership and sovereignty,” said Huurav Founder and CEO David Harper. “We’re exploring how agrivoltaics can work on Tribal allotted land without giving up agriculture or control. Our hope is that this can open the door for other Tribes and allottee owners to see what is possible.”

Community Convening Focused on Information Sharing and Next Steps

The goal of the agrivoltaic farming convening is to introduce the proposed project, outline potential benefits and next steps, and invite community discussion. A prerecorded presentation from NLR Researcher Dr. Kai Lepley will provide an overview of agrivoltaics, explain how these systems work, and share examples from other communities. A facilitated discussion will follow to gather questions and input from Tribal members.

Huurav Energy has plans to support Tribal agrivoltaics farming initiatives across the U.S., but for Huurav Project Manager Sydney Harper this first project has particular significance.

"Being a CRIT Tribal member myself, I understand the land is not only a resource, but a sacred connection to our ancestors and a foundation for Tribal sovereignty. Carrying out this project is a deeply personal journey for me, rooted in the very land my family calls home. I am honored to continue the legacy of my grandparents, the late Carl and Mamie Harper, who dedicated their lives to ensuring their children, grandchildren, and so forth could exercise those very rights. To me, there is no better place to start than home."

Thank you to all of our sponsors:

Link to download the full press release:

2026-02-12_Press Release-Agrivoltaic Convening and Project from Huurav, the First Native-O.

Download • 1.94MB