Tribal Solar Initiative
“A turn-key solution for Tribal Economic Development.”
For centuries, Native Americans have cared for Earth Mother and have depended on her natural resources for survival. As the original environmentalists, they have strived to live in harmony with nature and preserve her natural beauty.
Over time, tribes have had to develop new talents and expertise to support their tribal members. In many cases, tribal families depend on the economic development of the tribe for survival.
Tribal leaders have fought hard to receive and maintain their sovereign nation status. Using a tribes’ governmental and legal status to create successful economic development is essential. Indian Gaming is a great example of using a tribe’s governmental and legal status to create successful economic development.
Many years later, tribes are looking for other ways to use their sovereign status and abundant resources to support their economic development initiatives and provide for the needs of their tribal members.
Tribal Solar Initiative
Now tribes can harness the energy of the Sun to drive economic development!
Indian tribes control more than 55 million acres of land across the nation, and those lands are capable of producing an estimated 17 trillion kilowatt hours per year from solar, or more than four times the amount of electricity generated annually in the U.S. according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Tribal Energy Program.
Harnessing renewable resources is on the rise in Indian Country. Solar has been a big part of that energy independent revolution. But up until now, solar projects on tribal lands have primarily been small, “Quality of Life” projects. Making life with electricity possible where it had not been available before or mitigating utility costs on tribal housing. The next wave of the Tribal Solar Revolution will usher in larger scale Tribal Solar Systems for Economic Development.
Solar Economic Development Model
There are a variety of ways for a tribe to benefit from solar economic development. I will explain the most common.
- The Tribe’s economic development corporation owns the solar system.
- The Tribe negotiates a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to purchase the electricity created.
- The revenue stream funds the tribe’s economic development initiatives.
Two System Scales:
As your tribe begins the journey to power independence and economic development through solar, consider your options. There are two basic solar system scales.
Net-Metering – The most common option. (6 – 12 months)
- Generate electricity for a current business.
- Direct connected to a 2 way meter.
- Roof mount, Carport or Ground Tracker installation.
- No PPA Required.
- Up and running in less than 1 year.
Utility Scale – Solar Plant (1 – 3 years)
- Close proximity to grid required.
- 1 MW to more than 250 MW.
- Average of 5 to 7 acres per MW.
- Ground Tracker installation.
- Sell to Utility with PPA.
- May take several years.
Ground tracker Roof top Carport
Ownership Options
Tribe Owns
- Tribe pays for system
- Tribe keeps all profits
Joint Venture
- Investor pays for system
- Tribe and JV Partner share profits
Land Lease
- Investor owns system
- Tribe is paid for lease
- Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)
Turn-Key Solar Solutions
Renewable energy is a new option for bringing revenue to Indian country. Every tribe may not be able to benefit from gaming, but every tribe can benefit from harnessing Renewable Energy.
