GivePower, a non-profit firm that offers solar energy solutions to developing areas that need it most, led the effort to build the CannonBall Community Solar Farm in partnership with Empowered by Light, a non-profit focused on solar micro grids for developing communities. Located three kilometers in the Dakota Access Pipeline and on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation at CannonBall, North Dakota, the 300 kilowatt solar farm is a demonstration of the Sioux Nation Tribe’s history of advocacy for the sovereignty of their property, renewable energy sources and ecological justice. Additional project partners include Indigenized Energy, which promotes renewable energy within the Sioux Nation, Jinko Solar, a commercial solar panel maker and the Wallace Global Fund, a private foundation supporting engaged citizenry.
In 2017, the contentious Dakota Access Pipeline became operational, after passionate protests because of the pipeline’s impact to the environment and also to websites sacred to American Indians. Out of the controversy and outside of worries of the pipeline’s impact on the environment, the Sioux Nation fought in an unconventional and enabling way by working with GivePower and its partners to create the first and biggest solar energy plantation in North Dakota.
Despite its grand landscape conducive to solar energy production and high poverty areas that desperately need to cut costs and create jobs, North Dakota is ranked last in U.S. solar generation and has only three local solar companies. The CannonBall Community Solar Farm went live in February of the year and already represents half the total solar power being produced across the state. Right now, the farm forces that a Sioux Nation Community Center and Veterans Memorial Building and has a projected cost savings of $7,000 – $10,000 yearly, which is being put back into the community.
The project cost was $470,000.
“Our assignment of indigenizing energy is about merging the cultural values and wisdom passed down to us with new technologies to establish a sustainable platform that not only helps us live better lives now, but also ensures our footprint over the upcoming several centuries is a positive person,” said Cody TwoBears, Standing Rock project leader for GivePower and also the founder and executive director of Indigenized Energy. “We’re excited to share this fast-growing solar farm together with the world, as it pays tribute to everyone who is come to Standing Rock and all their hard work and tireless devotion toward protecting our people and property.”
“Sioux Nation has inspired us with their direction for native rights problems, and the CannonBall Community Solar Farm is a testament to the tribe’s loyal commitment to going beyond protesting and really inciting actual change,” said Hayes Barnard, President of GivePower. “It is an honour to unite with other great organizations to serve as allies at Sioux Nation’s continuing fight to preserve their territory with renewable energy projects that generate revenue and support their ethnic childhood programs.”
U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, a leading supporter of Sioux Nation’s dedication to the environment said,”The CannonBall Community Solar Farm is the result of a coalition of Native American leaders, army specialists, environmental groups and sustainability-minded business interests coming together around a common vision of citizenship and stewardship of our valuable natural resources.”
Phase two of those CannonBall Community Solar Farm will include navigating regulations to set up 100 kW of solar infrastructure, donated by GivePower, on U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-owned houses, putting additional solar infrastructure on colleges and other public buildings, and expanding training applications. Rather than continuing to outsource the building and upkeep of their solar energy, the Sioux Nation Tribe is enabling their people by coaching them for energy-based tasks and ensuring their youth are involved and invested in all sustainable energy initiatives.
A kick-off party for your CannonBall Community Solar Farm will take place on July 26, 2019 at CannonBall, North Dakota. Speakers may include personalities such as Frances Fisher, Tulsi Gabbard, Naomi Klein, Megan Smith and Shailene Woodley. A private tour of Standing Rock may also take place on July 27 for event participants. To learn more on the job and to contribute for this solar initiative, please visit https://pages.donately.com/givepower/campaign/givepower-power-for-standing-rock.
About GivePower
GivePower is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to extending the ecological and societal benefits of clean, renewable energy around the world. GivePower utilizes solar energy and storage technologies to deliver the most crucial community services into the growing world. GivePower has helped power some of the economically poorest countries, such as communities around over a dozen countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Visit GivePower at www.givepower.org and follow the organization on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
About Empowered by Light
Empowered by moderate is a 501©3 non-profit focused on improving lifestyles and the environment utilizing renewable energy technologies. It helps empower growing or disadvantaged communities utilizing solar and energy storage solutions. Since 2011, the business has developed solar projects in seven states, helping school-age children study better and longer, and powering conservation facilities, ranger stations and native communities in ecologically sensitive regions of the world. The business distributes its own solar products and sells its solutions and services to a diversified international utility, commercial and residential customer base in China, the USA, Japan, Germany, the uk, Chile, South Africa, India, Mexico, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, and other nations and areas.
About Wallace Global Fund
The Wallace Global Fund is devoted to Henry A. Wallace’s progressive legacy of enabling that which he called the”common man” from the moneyed elites in the struggle for control of government and the planet’s precious resources. Wallace Global Fund is a leading supporter of this motion calling for fossil fuel divestment and investment in renewable energy, just, and dependable sources of electricity. The Fund awarded the inaugural Henry A. Wallace Award in 2017 into the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to their brave activism in defending their sacred territories against the construction of this Dakota Access Pipeline. The Fund is also encouraging renewable energy projects developed by the Tribe.
