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
- Phase II solar was completed in July of 2023. It added an additional 540 kilowatts for a total of 1072 kilowatts in solar energy
- KEA is working with Native Village of Kotzebue as they plan to add another 700 kilowatts of solar and operate as an IPP (Independent Power Producer) and sell the power to KEA
- This project was funded through round 13 of the Renewable Energy Fund. (2 million project cost)