Project Details
This historic ranch near Chevelon Butte was homesteaded in the early 1900s by an immigrant from Ellis Island, who had a rancher uncle in nearby Wickenburg, Arizona. By the mid-1940s, it had grown into the largest sheep ranch in the region, with operations spread across the state. The rancher, who served as a Captain in the Cavalry during World War II, sustained injuries that hindered his ability to manage his extensive properties upon his return. Consequently, he sold many of his holdings but retained the 10,000-acre Chevelon Butte Ranch.
Today, the ranch is still operational, managed by his children, and has relied on generators for energy and water pumping since its inception. In 2020, with the aim of reducing costs and supporting Arizona Game and Fish’s initiative to provide water for local wildlife, NewGrid was engaged to facilitate the transition from generators to renewable energy sources for both water pumping and ranch operations. This project has been implemented in phases, with the latest stage commissioned in 2024. Now, ranch management no longer needs to manually operate generators for water supply—thanks to the sun, both cattle and local wildlife can access water as needed.
See more of our off-grid solar projects with working ranches