South Dakota
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.
See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it.
Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.
Copyright 2024 KOTA. All rights reserved.
google-site-verification: google9919194f75dd62c5.html
The South Dakota State baseball team is fighting for its season today against Arizona State in the Lincoln Regional. The game is set for 2 p.m.
The No. 4 Jackrabbits (24-32) lost 4-1 to No. 1 Nebraska in the opening game. No. 3 Arizona State lost a 706 heartbreaker to No. 2 Ole Miss in the opening round in 14 innings. The game took nearly 5.5 hours and ended around 1:20 a.m.
Here’s how to watch South Dakota State’s win-or-go-home game.
Watch South Dakota State baseball vs … on ESPN+
South Dakota State vs. Arizona State baseball stream, radio
Stream: ESPN+
Radio: KJJQ 910 AM
South Dakota State vs. Arizona State time today
- Date: Saturday, May 30
- Time: 2 p.m. CT
- Location: Haymarket Park in Lincoln, Nebraska
South Dakota State vs. Arizona State prediction
Paul Cifonelli, Argus Leader: This was always a tough draw for South Dakota State, as I thought this was the toughest regional in the country. At worst it’s the third toughest, with Chapel Hill and College Station in contention.
The Jackrabbits do have an advantage since Arizona State and Ole Miss went at it until after 1 a.m. Both teams stressed their pitching staffs, and every at bat required intense focus. The problem is South Dakota State doesn’t have the same top-end pitching these other teams do.
If Drew McDowell pitches, the Jacks might have a shot here. Otherwise they’ll have to win a slugfest, and I just don’t like those odds.
Prediction: Arizona State 8, South Dakota State 3
MISSION, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – In rural South Dakota, miles often separate expectant mothers from healthcare.
“A lot of women out here are left without any maternity care options,” said Rachel Kocak.
In Mission, moms mark their due dates and calculate miles to the nearest delivery location. Rachel Kocak, expecting her third child, said one option just closed.
“We used to have a birthing unit, I think up until a couple of months ago, and they lost their OB. So, Winner is no longer delivering babies,” Rachel said.
Some mothers remember when they could reach the hospital within a five-minute drive.
“IHS, for tribal members, they don’t deliver babies out here or provide prenatal care,” Rachel explained.
Families hope to reach the hospital before the baby arrives.
“So women either have to drive to Valentine, which is about 30 to 35 minutes from Mission, they can go to Wanblee, which is on the Pine Ridge Reservation, or they have to go to Pierre, Rapid City, or Sioux Falls,” Rachel said.
And if the roads are bad.
“I think there are a lot of babies who are unintentionally born at home. So it’s a tough place, I think, for mothers,” Rachel said.
The March of Dimes breaks down government data, showing a large portion of rural South Dakota as a maternity care desert, requiring travel of 38 or more minutes to reach an appointment or delivery room. The infant mortality rate is higher among native American babies born, compared to other races.
Health Department maps show counties in medium blue have 56 infant deaths per 100,000 births. Dark blue counties have three times as many. Grants aim to increase the number of healthcare workers, and funding supports a doula workforce program.
Kocak would like to see doulas and midwives available.
“Great opportunity for anyone who wants to become a home-birth midwife out here. The birth rate is still, I’m not sure what it is, but it’s high. There’s still a growing young population, and just not enough people to help deliver the babies,” Rachel said.
If care were closer, the outcomes could be brighter.
“You know, having the support network can make a huge change in the lives of these young, you know, these babies and young mothers who are building new families,” Rachel said.
The South Dakota Department of Health released a statement to Dakota News Now, which can be read in full below.
The South Dakota Maternal and Infant Health Task Force was created in 2025 to bring partners together to help improve the health and wellbeing of mothers and infants across the state. Their 5-year strategic plan was recently released, which has three priority areas: postpartum care to improve maternal health; safe sleep education and prevention strategies to protect infant health; and systems of care work that improves access, coordination, and quality of care statewide. One of the strategic plan activities that is supported by Rural Health Transformation is the creation of Regional Maternal and Infant Health Hubs, which will create a hub-and-spoke network connecting hospitals, clinics, tribal health services, and community organizations. These hubs will improve care coordination, strengthen referral pathways, and expand access to services for families in rural and tribal communities.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
-
Pennsylvania2 minutes agoMan accused of using excavator to destroy home with family inside
-
Rhode Island5 minutes agoRhode Island high school yearbook printed with the word ‘school’ misspelled on its cover: ‘Shocking to see’
-
South-Carolina10 minutes agoSouth Carolina Democrats celebrate redistricting win as governor hopefuls clash
-
South Dakota17 minutes agoSouth Dakota’s annual History Conference returns to Fort Pierre
-
Tennessee20 minutes agoABC broadcast goes out during Tennessee softball vs Texas Tech in WCWS
-
Texas25 minutes agoLive Updates: Lady Vols Softball vs. Texas Tech in the Women’s College World Series
-
Utah32 minutes agoMan guilty of crash that killed Utah CEO and his daughter gets maximum sentence – East Idaho News
-
Vermont35 minutes agoFallen solar panels in Vermont prompt environmental concerns – Valley News
