Iowa’s modest renewable energy goal (105 megawatts of capacity) has been met with wind,.  In fact, Iowa has gone well beyond it’s modest target and Iowa now produces over 15% of total electricity from wind , and its energy efficiency funds rival some of the country’s best programs.  Despite the states lack of reputation for sun, Iowa is a great match for solar development. Without a solar goal, or many supporting policies, Iowa remains a small market for solar. But with a little help from our friends in the state we’re trying to change the solar policy landscape.

Policy Needs and Next Steps
During the 2011 legislature we worked with our friends at the Iowa Environmental Council to support SF516, the Solar Energy Rebate Program and Fund.  SF516 would have created a 30% state rebate for solar projects with enough annual funding to build over 1000 resident projects and about 400 commercial projects a year, not a bad start.  Homeowner rebates would have been capped at $3000 and business or agricultural at $15,000 per project.  We may try to run the bill again when the politics have improved in the state.

We also are working to make sure that solar companies can offer finance products, like a lease or a power purchase agreement, to folks who want to go solar, without being regulated like mini-utilities.

 

Vote Solar’s lead for Iowa is Annie Carmichael, who can be reached atannie@votesolar.org, 720.402.9102