Solar Panels Planned For Fond du Lac Reservation

FOND DU LAC RESERVATION - Minnesota Power has contributed $2 million toward a solar panel development on the Fond du Lac Reservation. The total cost for the project is expected to be around $2.5 million.

"I think solar energy is a positive project for all of us. It's good for the environment, it's good for the reservation, and it's good for the community and we like solar energy and we think it's going to be a good project here," said Chuck Walt, with the Fond du Lac Reservation board.

The new solar array on the reservation will produce one megawatt of energy for Black Bear Casino. The high-quality of sunlight in Minnesota conserves well to solar energy. This plan is designed to benefit the reservation in all sorts of ways.

"The energy that's generated from the solar array will all come to the Fond du Lac Reservation and be used for our community," Walt said.

Construction is expected to start as early as next year. If progress is made, there are hopes of spreading energy to the community as well.

"Solar panels are a necessary just as an industrial park; solar panels are a necessary item if you want to have that kind of display and if you want to generate those types of energy resources you need land to do it," Walt said.

An exact location for the solar farm has not been set, but an area just a half mile north of the casino is being considered.