Shoshone – Bannock Tribes Solar
100 MW of Solar and Storage in Shoshone-Bannock Tribes’ Fort Hall Reservation
Shoshone Bannock Tribes
SBT Solar
Type of Project: Solar Energy + Energy Storage
Size of Project: 100 Megawatts
As part of the Tribes’ plan to advance energy sovereignty and strengthen the economic base, the Project is expected to support economic development, opportunities for employment in the growing power sector, and align with long-term environmental goals for the land and Tribe. In addition, the Project will allow the land to rest and restore after decades of farming while providing revenue and economic development opportunities for the Tribes.
Shoshone Bannock Tribes
SBT Solar
Type of Project: Solar Energy + Energy Storage
Size of Project: 100 Megawatts
As part of the Tribes’ plan to advance energy sovereignty and strengthen the economic base, the Project is expected to support economic development, opportunities for employment in the growing power sector, and align with long-term environmental goals for the land and Tribe. In addition, the Project will allow the land to rest and restore after decades of farming while providing revenue and economic development opportunities for the Tribes.
SBT Solar Project Summary
The proposed 100-megawatt (MW) photovoltaic (PV) solar generating and battery energy storage facility in the Gibson District of the Fort Hall Reservation supports the Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Energy Plan to develop clean energy resources, and strengthen self-determination. The Project would be constructed on 500-700 acres of land, leased from the Tribes. The Tribes have the option to own equity in the Project and generate long-term revenues from this ownership stake.
In addition to advancing energy sovereignty and strengthening the economic base, the Project is expected to support economic development, opportunities for employment in the growing power sector, and align with long-term environmental goals for the land and Tribe. In addition, the Project will allow the land to rest and restore after decades of farming while providing revenue and economic development opportunities for the Tribes.
Diagram of solar ecosystem habitat to restore soil health
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Economic Benefits
- Direct Lease Revenue: $20+ Million of direct lease revenue to Tribes over the 40-year Project lifespan
- Ownership Opportunity: Opportunity for the Tribes to have equity ownership in the Project and earn Project revenue
- Construction Jobs: During the 18-24 month construction period it is estimated that the Project will create 50-80 local jobs
- Permanent Jobs: During the 35 year Project operations period, the Project will hire 5-10 full-time, permanent employees for monitoring and maintenance of the facility.
- Workforce Development: To maximize the number of Shoshone Bannock residents able to take advantage of this opportunity, SBT Solar will make efforts to work with local colleges, universities, and others to create a workforce development and training program to build capacity for Tribal Members to work on the Project. In addition, the Project will aim to hire relevant native-owned businesses. Job fairs would be advertised and hosted on the Fort Hall Reservation well in advance of the commencement of construction.
- Regional Economic Development: The Project creates opportunity for economic development by attracting new businesses to locate near the solar farm to take advantage of the new energy provided by this facility.
Economic Benefits
- Direct Lease Revenue: $20+ Million of direct lease revenue to Tribes over the 40-year Project lifespan
- Ownership Opportunity: Opportunity for the Tribes to have equity ownership in the Project and earn Project revenue
- Construction Jobs: During the 18-24 month construction period it is estimated that the Project will create 50-80 local jobs
- Permanent Jobs: During the 35 year Project operations period, the Project will hire 5-10 full-time, permanent employees for monitoring and maintenance of the facility.
- Workforce Development: To maximize the number of Shoshone Bannock residents able to take advantage of this opportunity, SBT Solar will make efforts to work with local colleges, universities, and others to create a workforce development and training program to build capacity for Tribal Members to work on the Project. In addition, the Project will aim to hire relevant native-owned businesses. Job fairs would be advertised and hosted on the Fort Hall Reservation well in advance of the commencement of construction.
- Regional Economic Development: The Project creates opportunity for economic development by attracting new businesses to locate near the solar farm to take advantage of the new energy provided by this facility.
Environmental Benefits
Letting the land rest. The Project is located on previously disturbed land to minimize or avoid potential impacts on the local environment, and biological and cultural resources. The Project will allow farmed land to “rest” for the lease period, during which intensive farming will not be able to take place on the Project area. During the development period, SB Solar will work to restore native plants and ecosystems to the site.
Project Timeline
Contact information
For more information about this Project, please contact Japhet Koteen, Senior Project Developer at Navajo Power japhet.koteen@navajopower.com