Rock Solar Community Offset Project

Solution Summary

The communities of Standing Rock pay some of the highest electricity costs in North and South Dakota. To solve the problem of affordable power, this project will build community offset solar power plants for reservation communities, providing up to 150 kilowatts of energy, with multiple pods for each community.

By reducing the cost of energy, these plants will allow residents to afford food, medication, clothes, housing, and an overall better quality of life while also providing hope and inspiration for generationally depressed communities.

The plans for this project include a pilot project for the Porcupine community in North Dakota with an initial capacity of 150 kilowatts.

Market Opportunity

• With high winds and solar power, there’s substantial renewable energy potential on Standing Rock.

• System access can be sold to those who want more power or to those outside the initial system.

Organization Goals

• Use grant funding to start and move into a commercial production and installation of solar systems for community use

• Expand to Porcupine, Cannonball, McLaughlin, and Little Eagle towns

Partnerships

• Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative, Inc.

• Tribal Council

• SolarCity

Partnership Goals

• Business plan support for solar manufacturing

• Impact measurement validation and support

• Organizational mentorship

• Technology mentorship

• Investment from solar panel providers