Phase I
- Phase I of the project began operating in July 2020 and integrated solar energy into the Kotzebue Electric Association (KEA) system
- The project replaced 532 kilowatts (kW) of first-generation wind turbines with 532 kW of solar panels and inverters, co-located at the KEA wind site
- The cost of this project was $1.9 million
- NANA Regional Corporation, through the U.S. Department of Energy, Tribal Energy Program, provided $600,000 in funding
- The Northwest Arctic Borough, through the Village Initiative Fund, provided an additional $600,000 in funding
- KEA provided $700,000 of capital funds for the project
532 kW Project Completed in July 2020
($1.9 million project cost)
Phase II
- KEA is now collecting solar energy and learning to maximize the solar resource
- KEA is planning to install an additional 500 to 650 kW of solar power
500 to 650 kW planned installation
(seeking funding of $2 million)