The Village of Solomon, a tribal corporation based in Nome, Alaska, is working to install nine solar arrays to boost their energy security and reduce fuel costs. The project is partially funded by a Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The goal is to reduce the region’s reliance on diesel and wood fuel, and to train tribal members to install and maintain the solar arrays.
According to Deilah Johnson, tribal resources director for the Village of Solomon, 90% of homes in the Bering Strait region rely on wood stoves as backup, and the region is heavily reliant on diesel fuel. The project is part of a larger regional environmental plan to promote renewable energy sources, reduce pollution, and improve solid waste management.
The project has already seen success, with an initial 21-solar-panel array installed in 2021, which has decreased fuel costs and generated 30% of the electricity for the building on cloudy days. The goal is to reduce the region’s reliance on diesel fuel by 40% by 2040.
Despite the project’s success, Johnson has faced challenges, including funding freezes and opposition from some stakeholders, including a Department of Energy employee who referred to the solar arrays as “wasteful projects.” Johnson emphasized the importance of the project for her community, highlighting the potential for increased energy security and reduced fuel costs.
The project is not only about installing solar arrays, but also about training tribal members to install and maintain them, which will promote a sense of ownership and understanding of the system’s operation. Ultimately, the goal is to get the community “up to speed” and to promote sustainable development and growth.