Oglala Sioux Reservation
In 2024, Indigenized Energy completed its first-ever project funded through the federal Solar for All (SFA) program, marking an important milestone not only for the organization, but also nationally. This project was among the very first Solar for All installations completed anywhere in the country .
Solar for All was a federal initiative designed to expand access to clean energy for low-income households and Tribal communities. The program aimed to lower energy costs, improve energy resilience, and support workforce development by investing in community-based solar projects across the country. For Tribal Nations, Solar for All represented an opportunity to advance energy sovereignty while building local capacity.
The inaugural project took place in October 2024 in Porcupine, South Dakota, on the Oglala Sioux Reservation . The project delivered a grid-tied, ground-mounted solar and battery storage system designed to provide both clean power and backup energy for a Tribal household.
The system included:
- A racking system designed for durability and long-term performance
- A 7.7 kW ground-mounted solar array
- 19.2 kWh of home battery storage for backup power
- Donated solar panels and inverter equipment
This project was the result of a true collaboration. Indigenized Energy worked alongside the Oglala Sioux Tribe, national and Tribal partners, a solar installation contractor, a training contractor, and clean energy manufacturers who donated equipment to support the build .
In addition to the installation, the project placed a strong emphasis on workforce development. A total of 20 participants received hands-on and classroom-based solar training over the course of the project. Several trainees went on to secure employment in the solar industry, continuing work on projects across the country .
As Indigenized Energy’s first Solar for All build and one of the earliest completed nationwide, this project demonstrated what is possible when federal resources, Tribal leadership, and trusted partners come together. It served as an early proof point for how clean energy investments can deliver immediate household benefits while building long-term skills and opportunity in Tribal communities.
This first project set the foundation for future Solar for All work and reaffirmed a core principle of Indigenized Energy’s mission: energy solutions are strongest when they are community-led, collaborative, and rooted in sovereignty.