The Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians of California is generating more than power with its new solar energy system.

The tribe is the first in the state to win Bureau of Indian Affairs approval for a photovoltaic renewable energy system. Others are now interested in tapping into the power of the sun.

“We've thrown a pebble in the pond that I'm sure will ripple across Indian Country,” Michael Lombardi, the tribe's gaming commissioner said at a ribbon cutting ceremony yesterday, The Palm Springs Desert Sun reported.

The tribe is running a 1.1-megawatt photovoltaic renewable energy system. The $7 million system will generate enough power to supply tribal homes and the tribal casino.

The tribe built the system with the help of a grant from the Department of Energy and a rebate from the local water district.

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Augustine Band takes green path (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 5/28)

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