Indigenized Energy is honored to announce that the Rosebud Sioux Tribe has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the Indigenized Home Energy Makeover Program, a new initiative designed to support Tribal Nations in lowering household energy costs, improving home safety and comfort, and strengthening local capacity for renewable energy.
The Rosebud project will serve as the program’s first pilot, demonstrating how solar power, battery storage, weatherization, and essential electrical upgrades can work together to advance energy sovereignty one home at a time.
The selected home belongs to Alexander Swalley III, a respected elder, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and proud member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. Alexander and his wife help raise their three grandchildren in an aging home that routinely experiences some of the highest winter electric bills on the reservation, often reaching $300–$600 per month, alongside frequent outages caused by an overburdened and aging grid.
“With the cold weather seeping in, and electric heaters kicking on, the electric bill is waging war on our people, and they are fighting to stay warm,” says Jaime Del Poignee, Executive Director at RESCO Rosebud Energy Services Company. “The home solar project is a testament to the uses of energy conservation. Rosebud would be helping an Elder Marine Corps veteran and his takojas (grandchildren) keep energy costs down. The solar home project will be a catalyst for Rosebud to shine a light on energy sovereignty and the resilience of our people.”
Through the Home Energy Makeover, the family will receive a combination of upgrades, including:
- Rooftop solar installation
- Battery storage for uninterrupted backup power
- Electrical panel and wiring improvements
- Weatherization and small repairs
- Energy education and hands-on engagement
These upgrades will reduce financial strain, strengthen resilience during harsh South Dakota winters, and create a safer, healthier home environment for the entire household.
A Model for Communitywide Energy Transformation
Alexander’s home was selected not only because of household need but also because of its ability to serve as a model for similar homes across the Rosebud Reservation. The house is located in the low-rent housing area, where many families share comparable layouts, energy burdens, and infrastructure challenges.
By completing this pilot project with Rosebud Energy Service Company (RESCO), Sicangu Wicoti Awanyakapi (SWA), and Tribal Employment & Contracting Office (TECRO), Rosebud Sioux will gain a fully demonstrated, replicable model that can be expanded to additional homes as funding becomes available.
“We are proud to partner with the Rosebud Sioux Tribe on this first Home Energy Makeover project,” says Cody Two Bears, CEO, Indigenized Energy. “This work is about more than a single home, it’s about building local capacity, creating pathways for Tribal workforce development, and advancing models that can be expanded across Indian Country. When Tribes lead, and communities build their own energy future, the impact reaches far beyond one project.”
This aligns with the Tribe’s ongoing work with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and contributes directly to long-term goals around residential electrification, energy independence, and community resilience.
This pilot project is made possible through the continued support of the Honnold Foundation, whose commitment to community-led clean energy helps advance Tribal energy sovereignty and capacity-building efforts across Indian Country.
A defining feature of the Home Energy Makeover Program is its commitment to local capacity-building.
During the project, The Rosebud Tribe:
- Will engage local high school students in training and guided observation (with hands-on participation for students 18+).
- Will involve TECRO laborers, RESCO technicians, and SWA staff in installation, staging, and community engagement.
- Will provide residents with training on operating and maintaining solar and battery systems.
This ensures the benefits of the project extend beyond a single home, supporting a long-term local workforce and fostering community ownership of new energy infrastructure.
The Rosebud- Home Energy Makeover marks the beginning of a broader movement to bring Tribal-led clean energy solutions directly into the homes of Native families. By combining equitable funding, hands-on training, and long-term partnership, the program aims to demonstrate what is possible when Native Nations lead their own clean energy future.
More updates, photos, and stories will be shared as work begins in 2026.