South Dakota

Western South Dakota’s ample sunshine comes with caveats for solar energy

Published

8 months ago

November 8, 2024

Western South Dakota’s ample sunshine comes with caveats for solar energy

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – Climatologically speaking, Western South Dakota is one of the sunniest parts of the Nation.

“The eastern side of the Black Hills is kind of notorious for having a lot of sunshine,” Dr. Darren Clabo, South Dakota State Fire Meteorologist, said, “300 some-odd sunshine days a year.”

With that in mind, our fusion reactor in the sky can be a lucrative energy source.

Jacob Van Cleave is a grad student studying wildfire growth in the meteorology program at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, where Dr. Clabo teaches. He used his research and a forecasting internship with an energy company to study the impact of wildfires on renewable energy.

“We have longer periods of those clear skies,” Van Cleave says, “We have more direct contact with peak solar heating; we’re pretty similar in the rate of the energy production you would get in Florida.”

But with all the dry weather and sunshine that’s happened, there is a caveat, Dr. Clabo explains.

“Over the past ten years, we’ve seen an increase in the number of fires across the Western United States,” Clabo said, “And so, the smoke production has also gone up considerably.”

And the longer this pattern goes on, those looking to capitalize on solar energy have some things to consider because of how solar cells work.

“If you cover up a solar panel, think of a three-by-three or four-by-four sized solar panel with a penny, you reduce (the solar panel) to one percent of generation,” Van Cleave explained, “The way the cells work … they’re interlocked together. If you block one cell, you only get the charges that jump from the one cell to the next.”

When you relate these effects to wildfires, this is how smoke and ash affect solar panels:

“When you get wildfire smoke, those particles not only stick if they fall and act like a sediment – stick on to the panel – not only will they affect how efficiently that panel can absorb energy from the sun, you’ll also have solar rays hitting those particulates in the atmosphere and reducing production 20 to 50 percent depending on how extreme the smoke case is,” Van Cleave said.

There is at least something those using solar panels can do to take care of what touches the panel during a smoky wildfire. Van Cleave says they can work with the Environmental Protection Agency to find a company that can professionally clean them.

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South Dakota

New residential treatment program for women to be built in Yankton

Published

1 hour ago

July 16, 2025

Press Room

New residential treatment program for women to be built in Yankton

YANKTON, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Governor Rhoden announced on Wednesday that Avera Sacred Heart Hospital will receive $3.8 million in state funds to build an 18-bed facility for women, including pregnant mothers, undergoing residential substance use disorder therapy.

Funding made available from SB196 in the 2022 legislative session is being provided to Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, following their grant application with the Department of Social Services.

“This facility will support pregnant and young mothers struggling with addiction. It will prove a safe, supportive place for these mothers to receive clinical support for their addiction,” said Governor Larry Rhoden.

Avera Sacred Heart Hospital will construct and own the facility and will partner with Lewis and Clark Behavioral Health Services to provide programs and services.

DSS will also accredit the treatment services to be delivered in the new facility.

“These programs provide a safe, supportive environment where women can begin to heal, rebuild their lives, and access the comprehensive care they need to achieve long-term recovery,” said DSS Cabinet Secretary Matt Althoff.

“We are grateful for Governor Rhoden and the State of South Dakota’s support of this work and caring for this important population,” said Victoria Hanson, PhD, Avera Sacred Heart Hospital Regional President & CEO.

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South Dakota

South Dakota Chislic Festival returns to Freeman next weekend

Published

21 hours ago

July 15, 2025

Press Room

South Dakota Chislic Festival returns to Freeman next weekend

FREEMAN, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Thousands are expected in Freeman later this month for the South Dakota Chislic Festival.

The free, family-friendly event runs from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on July 26 at the Freeman Prairie Arboretum.

This year marks the final annual festival. Going forward, the event will move to an every-other-year format to allow for future upgrades and new attractions.

Learn more at SDChislicFestival.com.

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South Dakota

South Dakota DOH secretary talks future of AI in healthcare

Published

2 days ago

July 14, 2025

Press Room

South Dakota DOH secretary talks future of AI in healthcare

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Healthcare in a state like South Dakota, with a small population and a lot of land, can be a large task to manage.

At the Rotary Club meeting of Sioux Falls, a group of healthcare advocates discussed some of the issues facing the system today.

The Secretary of the Department of Health spoke with Dakota News Now about how Artificial Intelligence can help bridge the gap between some of these issues.

Secretary Melissa Magstadt says the department has incorporated AI for small tasks such as summarizing big documents and writing emails, and has also used AI for a range of purposes in its epidemiology department.

“Using this capability, I don’t think we understand quite yet, but we’re looking into the Department of Health on how we use it to analyze our data more thoroughly, how do we use it for our planning decisions,” Magstadt said.

Magstadt says the use of AI, along with consistent investment in tools like telehealth or mobile clinics, will help expand healthcare to South Dakota’s urban population, but especially its rural communities.

“All of those pieces will add to a part of how we deliver healthcare easily to the people that need them, no matter where you choose to live, whether it’s in the frontier of South Dakota or an urban area, they all have their challenges.”

At the next Rotary Club meeting, a panel will discuss developing health care providers for the next generation of South Dakotans.

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