College - Author 1
College of Architecture and Environmental Design
Department - Author 1
Construction Management Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Construction Management
Date
5-2026
Primary Advisor/Subject Matter Expert (SME)
Joseph Cleary, College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Construction Management Department
Abstract/Summary
Skip the Grid is a cross-disciplinary experiential learning initiative that delivers clean energy infrastructure to households with school-age children residing in the Navajo and Hopi Nations. In March 2026, a cohort of 23 students drawn from five academic programs at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) joined forces with Heart of America (HOA), SOLV Energy, and NextPower to carry out the initiative's fifth consecutive year. The program aimed to enhance living standards and bolster academic achievement by ensuring dependable access to power, illumination, and food preservation in resource-limited communities. Participants were divided into five installation teams comprising Cal Poly students, instructors, industry collaborators, and regional community representatives. Across three days, the teams installed 50 standalone solar energy systems across settlements throughout northeastern Arizona. Each setup included two 200-watt photovoltaic panels, a Yeti 1500X battery pack, a refrigerator unit, and two LED fixtures. Beyond the installations, participants engaged with nearby schools during a cultural outreach event and cultivated a richer appreciation of Navajo and Hopi traditions. The initiative successfully completed all 50 targeted installations, broadening access to essential household resources for 50 families while highlighting the importance of cross-disciplinary teamwork and grassroots engagement in tackling energy disparity through renewable energy approaches.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cmsp/956