BISMARCK – The North Dakota Department of Commerce announced on Monday that a total of $420,176 of the State Energy Program grant funds were awarded to Lake Region State College’s (LRSC) Devils Lake Solar/Renewable Energy Initiative, according to N.D. Department of Commerce information.

The initiative is a collaboration between LRSC and NextEra Energy, expanding the college’s existing renewable energy program.

“Lake Region State College already provides wind energy to its entire campus,” said Doug Darling, President of LRSC. “These funds will enable us to not only add solar energy as a back-up power source, but also help create related courses, work-based training and certification opportunities for our students.”

A supporter of the LRSC Devils Lake Solar/Renewable Energy Initiative, NextEra Energy Resources is the nation’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun, and a world leader in battery energy storage. The company currently operates 16 wind projects in the state with additional projects in development.

The grant funding is part of the North Dakota State Energy Program (SEP), which promotes energy efficiency and conservation and is supported by financial and technical assistance through the U.S. Department of Energy. Commerce’s Division of Community Services receives an annual allocation to implement SEP.