#EP328 Federal funding for tribal clean energy projects has been rescinded. Tribes that invested millions in solar and microgrid projects now face stalled construction, lost jobs, and broken promises. David Harper, CEO of Huurav, is stepping in with bridge loans to keep these projects alive.
David Harper is a tribal member from the Colorado River Indian Tribes on the Arizona-California border. He started his solar career fighting developers who disturbed sacred artifacts and human remains on tribal lands. Today, he runs Huurav, a company providing bridge financing for the 575 federally recognized tribes across the United States. His sister company, 7 Skyline, provides electrical engineering consulting to 80-90 tribes nationwide.
Episode Highlights:
The 2021 Infrastructure Bill allocated $10-15 billion for tribal energy projects. Much of that funding has been clawed back.
Tribes that invested their own money now have stalled projects with no path to completion.
Huurav provides 2-6 year bridge loans that allow tribes to continue construction while securing permanent financing.
Capital stacking allows multiple funders (CDFIs, philanthropy, financial institutions, etc) to share risk on larger projects.
Case study: Guidiville Rancheria in Mendocino County received a $1M bridge loan for a 500kW solar plus 1.5MW battery storage microgrid serving 44 homes.
Huurav has 22 projects in its pipeline with more tribes requesting support.
Tribal communities often suffer brownouts and blackouts because they sit at the end of utility lines. Microgrids offer energy independence.
Elders and grandmothers often drive project support. They ask about jobs for their families and become energy champions in their communities.
Agrivoltaics model in development with NREL for 10-acre allotted land installations.
David Harper's story captures what happens when federal promises disappear overnight. Tribes that did everything right, completed feasibility studies, hired workers, approved scopes of work, are left holding the bill.
Huurav fills that gap with bridge loans sized to what tribes can pay back. This model builds credit history, creates jobs, and moves the 22 projects in their pipeline toward completion. For energy professionals working with or on tribal lands, David's advice is clear: learn the tribe's history, respect their sovereignty, engage with elders, and be transparent. The projects follow a formula. The relationships do not.
Connect with David Harper, Huurav
David Harper LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-harper-ab6b762b5/
Huurav Website: https://www.huurav.com/
7Skyline Website: https://www.7skyline.com/
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