Why Moonrise Crystals is Funding Solar Farms
To oppose the development of Uranium mining
Moonrise Crystals is located in the USA and many of our healing crystals are mined here as well. The United States is a country divided on the topic of climate change as well as energy and resource management. The policies of the Trump administration are pro-mining, but mining is not ethical if it ignores long-term environmental and social impacts, in favor of short-term profits. In May 2025, a Uranium mine was approved in San Juan County, Utah after only 11 days. Previously, mining for radioactive minerals required 2 years of grounding water monitoring as well as time for community input. The Velvet-Wood mine will have a measurable negative impact on the environment and local peoples, particular Native Americans tribes include the Navaho and the Ute Mountain Utes. In response, Moonrise Crystals selected this solar project for its measurable positive impacts in that same region and community. The land that the solar farm is being built on was previously intended to build a coal-power plant. We have partnered with Native for our carbon credit investing.
This project meets 4 of the United Nations Sustainability Goals:
About this Project
This project produces clean, renewable energy in the American southwest. The Totten Solar Project was built in 2022 and demonstrates “additionality.” This means it was built by the generosity of eco-conscious investors, rather than government subsidies or market demand. This project serves communities at the furthest edge of the local power grid, areas which typically don’t have access to affordable and reliable energy.
Verification
Dual-verified using Green-E Certification and the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program. This solar project is a new build that would not exist without financial support from investors. New builds are critical in order to increase the amount of clean energy on electrical energy grids. It is a form of climate action that has a measurable and significant impact.
Environmental Impact
This project will use land that had been previously set aside to develop a coal-powered energy plant and instead use it for a solar-power plant. Coal is one of the biggest contributors to climate change because it emits more carbon dioxide per unit of energy than any other major fuel source. By contrast, solar panels generate electricity without emitting any greenhouse gases or other pollutants and their overall environmental footprint is far smaller.
Social Impact
This project provides a renewable source of energy to rural communities in Montezuma County, Colorado and parts of San Juan County, Utah. This area includes traditional lands for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. In 2020, the Tribe honored their children by writing their own Climate Action Plan which calls for more solar power and wise resource management. The following year, the Tribe called for a cessation of Uranium processing in their area, warning about severe health impacts.
The Totten Solar Project is part of Native’s Renewable Portfolio which is funding 5 solar projects in 2025. The other projects are in Iowa and Wisconsin and each of these solar projects are pollinator-friendly. Since much of the heartland of the United States is occupied by corn or soy monoculture, pollinators like bees and butterflies are experiencing a rapid decline. These pollinator-friendly habitats follow scientific best practices and support local beekeepers.
Two of the solar projects in Wisconsin are also working with local schools. Students will have access to energy product data from the solar projects, as well as their school’s own solar panels. This data will help the students better understand responsible energy and resource management.
Forest City Solar Project, Iowa
Strobus Solar Project, Wisconsin
Blue Prairie Solar Project, Wisconsin
Walleye Solar Project, Wisconsin
