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Solar cells or panels (also known as photovoltaic or PV) convert the sun's energy directly into electricity. Contrary to the myth that Iowa does not receive enough sunlight for solar power, photovoltaic systems can work well in this state. If 1000 acres of Iowa land were covered with solar panels, it would provide enough electricity for 111,000 homes.
Another way to obtain energy from the sun is through passive solar gain. Buildings and homes can be designed to take full advantage of the sun's warmth and light, helping to reduce home utility costs. Day lighting, windows, building materials and orientation of the building (for example, strong southern exposure) can all be used in passive solar building construction.
Environmental Impact
If 1000 acres of Iowa land were covered with solar panels, the energy produced would:
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- equal the energy use of 111,000 homes
- displace the consumption of 438,480 tons of coal per year
- keep $10.9 million from being exported from Iowa to pay for fossil fuels
- avoid 1,200,000 tons of CO2 per year
- avoid 2,900 tons of NOx per year
- avoid 33,000 tons of SOx ozone and carbon monoxide (CO)
- Solar-thermal systems collect the sun's heat to warm buildings, heat water, dry crops or destroy waste. Solar heating has been used in the United States for more than a century, with the first patent issued in 1891. Currently, more than 1.2 million buildings in the nation have solar water-heating systems, along with 250,000 solar-heated swimming pools. The amount of sunlight in Iowa will support most solar hot-water systems, even during winter months.
| Solar Publications | *.pdf file |
| Midwest Solar Yellow Pages |  |
| Iowa Photovoltaic Case Study | |
| Wisconsin Photovoltaic Case Study | |
| Minnesota Photovoltaic Case Study | |
| Nebraska Photovoltaic Case Study | |
| PV Survey Executive Summary | |
| PV Strategic Plan | |
| Midwest Region Consumer's Guide to Buying a Solar Energy System
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Major Projects and Accomplishments across Iowa and the United States
- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources announces the installation of the Cedar Rapids New Bohemia Solar Project. This project is the state’s largest multi-configuration solar array system, interconnected with a major utility and featuring a street level real-time energy data educational kiosk. The project features three types of rack mounting systems that allow comparison between fixed, single, and dual tracking solar panel arrays. The project is a collaboration among the Iowa Renewable Energy Association, Alliant Energy, City of Cedar Rapids, Thorland Company, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Primary funding was provided by the United States Department of Energy, with project partners also contributing funds and in-kind services.
- The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) currently has 34 solar-powered, portable, changeable message signs in operation throughout the state, and two mobile signal trailers operating on PV technology. The state agency also owns 125 solar-powered automatic traffic recorders, and is adding two more per year. Another solar technology used by the DOT is solar-powered weigh-in-motion detectors, with 14 currently in operation.
- The Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids uses a 307 kW PV system to supply power. The solar system is mounted on the building's roof and is grid-connected to the local utility. About 40 percent of the facility's power load is met during the work week, with excess generation during the weekends sent to the grid.
- Iowa State University's PrISUm team competes in the Sunrayce, a series of competitions across North America in which college teams build and race solar-powered vehicles. Team PrISUm's mission is to educate the public and increase interest in solar energy.
- Researchers at the Microelectronics Research Center (MRC) at Iowa State University have been working on thin film semiconductors for use in PC systems since the 1970s. Information gathered by MRC has been applied in space programs for NASA.
- The Million Solar Roofs initiative is a public-private partnership to encourage investment in building PV and active thermal systems. The ultimate goal is to install one million solar systems in the United States by 2010. Reaching this goal would reduce pollution by the equivalent of removing 850,000 cars from the road. In addition, 70,000 new jobs are projected to be created.
Financial Assistance
Alternate Energy Revolving Loan Program
Summary: This loan program funds wind, solar, biomass and hydropower projects in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. The program is administered by the Iowa Energy Center and funded by the state's investor-owned utilities. The program offers zero-interest loans for up to half of the project cost, with a maximum of $250,000.
Contact: Keith Kutz, Iowa Energy Center
Phone: (515) 294-3332, E-mail: kkutz@energy.iastate.edu
Go to: www.energy.iastate.edu/funding/aerlp-index.html
Iowa Energy Bank
Summary: The DNR's Iowa Energy Bank can help Iowa's schools, hospitals, private colleges and local governments determine if solar energy systems are a good match for their facilities. From engineering audits to low-cost financing, installation and monitoring, the Iowa Energy Bank provides assistance through every step of energy improvements.
Contact: Lee Vannoy, DNR
Phone: (515) 281-6559, E-mail: Lee.Vannoy@dnr.state.ia.us
Go to: Iowa Energy Bank
Solar Energy System Property Tax Exemption
Summary: According to Iowa Code, Chapter 441.21, when assessing property for tax purposes, assessors shall disregard any market value added by a solar energy system to a building for the first five full assessment years. Solar energy systems are defined as follows: any system capable of collecting and converting solar radiation into thermal, mechanical, or electric energy, or a system that utilizes the basic building design to maximize solar heat gain in the cold season and minimize solar heat gain in the hot season.
Contact: Jim Moyle, Iowa Department of Revenue
Phone: (515) 281-7232, E-mail: Jim.Moyle@iowa.gov
Links for Further Information (off-site):
DNR Contact:
Brian Crowe
(515) 281-8518
Brian.Crowe@dnr.state.ia.us
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