Tribal programs will collaborate to provide solar heat panels to select homeowners

Funding will be provided to purchase and install solar heat panel equipment. ROSEBUD - The Rosebud Sioux Tribal Council approved the request of four tribal programs to pursue the purchase and installation of solar heating panels for at several homes on the Rosebud. Preference will be given to homeowners who are veterans, elders or disabled.

The Sicangu Nation Employment & Training Program and the Sicangu Wicoti Awanyakapi will provide funding to purchase and install the solar heat panel equipment. In addition, SNETP and SWA will provide their employees the training required to install the systems. Total cost of the program will be approximately $103,316.

Also the RST Low Income Energy Assistance Program will provide energy education to homeowners receiving the solar panel heating systems. The Tribal Utilities Commission will track the cost of heating incurred by the homes after the systems have been installed.

Training will be coordinated by Henry Red Cloud of the Lakota Solar Enterprises located on the Pine Ridge Reservation. One day of training will take place in St. Francis. Trainees will view a power point presentation and will be given an installation demonstration at a home being built west of town.

In addition, a 10 day seminar will be held at the Red Cloud Renewable Energy Center in Pine Ridge. This portion of the training will allow participants to be certified as solar panel installers. Seven SNETP employees and two SWA employees will complete this two week course.

Established in 2005, LSE is a solar heater manufacturer and assembly company. For instance, the installation of the Little Thunder Clean Energy Education Partnership was made possible in part by LSE in 2006-07.

This project saw a residential wind turbine and solar electric/heating system installed at the Little Thunder home in the Upper Cut Meat Community. Several trees were also planted to provide shade and a wind break.

For more information on the program please call Lauri Bordeaux, SNETP Director at (605) 747-2393.