Utility supplier Alliant Power has taken one other step towards producing solar energy in southeast Iowa.
Lee County officers have agreed to maneuver ahead with a proposal to construct a photo voltaic panel subject close to town of Wever. The mission requires developer Interstate Energy and Gentle Co. which is able to construct and set up photo voltaic panels on 900 hectares that may construct a 75-megawatt battery vitality storage unit.
Alliant Power spokesman Morgan Hawk stated the 900 acres make up 0.003 % of Iowa’s farmland and 0.4 % of Lee County’s open farmland.
Hawk stated these panels might energy 150 megawatts of energy throughout the state of Iowa. He additionally stated that finally the photo voltaic panels will present vitality value financial savings and a clear supply of vitality in Lee County.
“Putting in photo voltaic is usually more cost effective than persevering with to keep up and function coal,” Hawk stated. “The transition to photo voltaic will assist to keep away from long-term prices that present decrease vitality prices to clients in comparison with coal so we will keep away from ongoing inspection prices and investments required to keep up some models of coal operation. Nevertheless it’s additionally essential to do not forget that photo voltaic is barely a part of the entire value of vitality supply. So, whereas clear vitality sources like photo voltaic develop into much less and cheaper over time, you recognize that the opposite prices will proceed to fluctuate.
Lee County Auditor Denise Fraise stated the county is trying ahead to creating photo voltaic vitality for its residents.
“I feel it is thrilling to get a photo voltaic farm right here, and I am trying ahead to getting extra,” Fraise stated.
The Iowa Utilities Board is scheduled to satisfy in Could, when the Lee County photo voltaic mission will obtain closing approval.
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