The Red Lake Solar Project was implemented in Red Lake Nation in Northern Minnesota where a 240 kW installation on top of a workforce training center will generate about half of the building’s electricity needs.
The tribe’s other initiative is building a utility-scale 13 MW solar farm in partnership with Allete, one of the region’s main electricity providers.
Red Lake Nation is empowered to produce its own energy, enhancing energy sovereignty by reducing dependence on external energy sources.
The project has created many jobs for community members, including installation and maintenance positions, contributing to local employment opportunities and economic growth.
Located in Northern Minnesota, the Red Lake Nation is home to over 14,000 tribal members. It is unique among Indigenous tribes for having retained its original land, making it the only closed reservation in Minnesota. The tribe has upheld sovereignty over its land and people since arriving in the region in the 17th century. Their current objective is to achieve energy sovereignty through clean energy initiatives.
The Red Lake Solar Project aims to include 5 MW on tribal buildings and a 12 MW solar farm, making it a significant step towards energy independence for the community. The project has progressed through various phases, with ongoing efforts to secure funding and complete installations.
In their accountability decree, the Red Lake Nation emphasizes their commitment to operating in alignment with the expectations of their ancestors, elders, tribal members, and future generations. The Red Lake Tribal Council is dedicated to ensuring that every member achieves independence and economic security by leveraging modern technology, developing robust economic infrastructure, and providing a quality educational system.
This decree, deeply rooted in Ojibwe tradition, is reflected in the Red Lake Solar Project. This innovative solar and storage initiative aims to achieve energy sovereignty for the tribe while creating jobs and fostering a more sustainable lifestyle for future generations.
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Bob Lake, Owner of Solar Bear and Executive Director of Native Sun Community Power Development, said “My dream for Red Lake is for this to be a model for other tribes to follow. What’s really exciting is that our people can get the knowledge around this technology. I feel like renewable energy is going to be this driver of change and prosperity in ways that tribal nations have never seen before.”
The project empowers the Red Lake Nation to produce its own energy, reducing dependence on external energy sources and enhancing energy security for the community.
It has created job opportunities for tribal members, including positions in the installation and maintenance of solar panels, which boost local employment and provide valuable skills training.
The project includes training programs for community members and formerly incarcerated individuals, helping them gain expertise in solar technology and sustainable energy management, which can lead to further employment opportunities within and beyond the community.
The savings from reduced energy costs can be reinvested into the community, supporting various social and economic initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for residents.
By transitioning to solar energy, the project significantly reduces the community’s carbon footprint, promoting sustainability and aligning with the tribe’s cultural values of environmental stewardship.
The project serves as a model for other tribes, showcasing the potential of renewable energy projects to foster self-reliance and resilience which enhances the community’s overall sense of empowerment and pride.
Aligning with Ojibwe traditions, the project’s focus on sustainability helps preserve the natural environment, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy and benefit from their ancestral lands.
The Red Lake Solar Project was financed through a combination of innovative funding strategies.
Here are the key methods used to finance this significant renewable energy initiative:
One of the initial and most impactful funding methods for the Red Lake Solar Project was crowdfunding. The community successfully raised funds through online platforms, engaging both tribal members and supporters worldwide. This grassroots approach not only provided financial support but also increased awareness and involvement in the project.
Ralph Jacobson, founder and chief equity officer of Impact Power Solutions (IPS), developed the Red Lake Nation crowdfunding approach. He reached out to his friends and family who could lend small amounts of capital. He raised $115,000 from his contacts, $250,000 from religious microlenders thanks to the help of Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light, and contributed $15,000 of his own money.
“In order to pull all the little pieces of capital from unsophisticated investors in the community who want to see some cool things happen — and when nobody has a lot of money, but everybody’s got a little — you got to be the community organizer,” Jacobson said.
The project received grants and donations from various organizations and individuals committed to supporting renewable energy and Indigenous sovereignty. These funds helped cover the costs of solar panel installations and other related infrastructure.
Partnerships with renewable energy organizations, such as Impact Power Solutions (IPS), played a crucial role in securing both financial and technical support. IPS, for example, contributed through its resources and expertise, ensuring the project met its goals efficiently.
The Red Lake Nation itself invested in the project, demonstrating their commitment to achieving energy independence. This investment included both financial and human resources, with community members actively participating in the installation and maintenance of the solar systems.
David Shaeffer, the Executive Director of Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association said no other Minnesota solar project ever used crowdfunding. He believes that microlenders investing in Indigenous initiatives care more about their impact than earning interest.
By combining these funding sources, the Red Lake Solar Project fostered a sense of community ownership and participation, making it a model for other tribal nations seeking energy sovereignty through renewable energy projects.
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