What Is The Blade?
A Clean Energy Vision Rooted in Resilience
I don’t usually talk publicly about what I build.
I’ve worked on renewable concepts and innovations for years, not for attention, but because I believe practical solutions matter more than slogans. One of those ideas is now in motion.
It’s called The Blade: a hybrid wind–solar generator designed to deliver off-grid power to places where energy is expensive, unreliable, or missing entirely, starting with tribal lands.
The concept is simple:
A vertical blade that turns with the wind, with solar panels mounted to its surface. It’s scalable, from units small enough to charge a laptop, to installations that could power homes or community centers.
What makes it different isn’t just the tech, it’s the mission:
It’s designed by a Blackfeet Tribal Descendant (me)
It’s veteran-guided and built on practical experience
It will employ a tribally enrolled workforce
It’s built for communities under environmental and economic stress
I recently shared this project with Patagonia. Whether or not they respond, I know this idea deserves to live, to be tested, proven, and placed in the hands of people who need it.
This is just the start.
If you're reading this, consider it an invitation to follow along. The goal is resilient energy, made accessible, and honorable.
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And soon: operationhope.world
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Don Barcus
Blackfeet Tribal Descendant | Veteran | Clean Energy Designer