| Community Support: green energy |
Because of our Native heritage, we have a commitment to conserve and protect our natural resources for future generations. That traditional belief is coupled with cutting edge technology to create renewable energy sources on the Winnebago reservation.
In 2010, Ho-Chunk, Inc. installed the first active tracking solar panel system in the state of Nebraska. The active tracking, photovoltaic solar energy system was constructed on the roof of Ho-Chunk, Inc. Corporate Offices in Winnebago. This type of system can supply up to 6% more capacity over regular solar panels. The system is projected to replace 40% of the current building use. Additionally, a regular solar panel system was installed on a subsidiary building in Ho-Chunk Village to help increase energy efficiency.
Click here to view a live webcam of the tracking solar panel system.
Ho-Chunk Village also is the setting for two wind energy generators powering residential homes in the Village, as well as other generators powering two of the corporation’s subsidiary businesses, both on and off the reservation. That same technology was used to help maintain the Tribe’s buffalo herd in a remote pasture on the Reservation. The cost and labor involved to supply needed water to the herd was causing financial and logistics problems for the Tribe. Adding wind energy generators and a solar-powered watering system solved the problem and is one more example of green energy practiced daily on the Winnebago reservation.
