8th Fire Solar
Solar heat, made simple.

8th Fire Solar, our solar thermal social enterprise, is dedicated to reducing energy poverty in low-income households. Through this partnership, we help Native families access solar thermal heating, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and lower household costs. Together, we are building a future where warmth, power, and clean air are not luxuries, but rights.

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Energy poverty is a critical challenge in rural northern Minnesota, particularly within Native American reservations like the White Earth Nation. In 2019, the median household income for the White Earth Nation was just $29,031, significantly lower than the national median of $68,703 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2019). Native households in Minnesota face an average energy burden of 10.3%, more than twice the national average, according to a 2018 report by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). Additionally, a 2018 Rural Renewable Energy Alliance (RREAL) study found that roughly 16% of households on Minnesota reservations lack access to electricity, compared to less than 1% nationwide.

 

This high energy burden forces many households to make difficult choices between heating their homes and meeting other basic needs. When residents lose power due to winter storms, tornadoes, or disconnections for unpaid bills, they often resort to dangerous methods of home heating, like using gas stoves or burning wood indoors. These stopgap measures increase fire risk and worsen indoor air quality, leading to respiratory problems and other health risks, particularly for elders and children.

 

This high energy burden forces many households to make difficult choices between heating their homes and meeting other basic needs. When residents lose power due to winter storms, tornadoes, or disconnections for unpaid bills, they often resort to dangerous methods of home heating, like using gas stoves or burning wood indoors. These stopgap measures increase fire risk and worsen indoor air quality, leading to respiratory problems and other health risks, particularly for elders and children.