Goldfinch Solar Project given go-ahead

AINSWORTH — The Iowa Utilities Board on Thursday granted a Certificate of Public Convenience to the Goldfinch Solar Project. The order authorizes the construction and eventual operation of a long-discussed 200 megawatt array of solar panels, set to be installed on rented farmland surrounding Haskins and north of Ainsworth in Washington County.

Representatives from Goldfinch Solar, owner Bechtel Enterprises, and developer Conifer Power were not immediately available for comments Monday morning.

The companies tentatively plan to start construction in April of 2024 with an end date in 2025. Goldfinch “expects ownership may be transferred during the development, construction, and/or operations of the proposed facility, potentially to a local utility,” according to legal records on the project’s IUB docket.

The proposed solar farm was initially scheduled for an additional public hearing before its final approval, but had that procedure waived by the IUB after attorneys argued it was unnecessary.

“Between the public comment opportunities and the informational meeting held in advance of the Application, there have been numerous opportunities for the public and interested persons to submit comments and objections,” said one of the IUB’s orders approving the solar project. “The Board finds that the public interest will not be adversely affected by waiving the procedural schedule.”

The project has proved contentious among residents of Washington County.

After first hitting headlines in August of 2022, the solar farm plan drew stark criticism from locals, who claimed it would trade off with crop production, exploit renewable energy tax credits, and lower nearby property values. Some were skeptical of solar power as a reliable energy source in general.

Advocates, however, have championed the project as an economic boon for Washington County, expected to bring in $10.1 million of tax dollars over its life span, add sustainable energy generation, revitalize rented farmland and power 33,000 homes, according to one economic analysis.

“Solar projects are economic engines for local economies,” said Tom Swierczewski in an interview last summer, the vice president for development at Conifer Power, Goldfinch Solar’s developer. “This project is going to pay millions of dollars in rent to our land owners, it’s going to create hundreds of construction jobs.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com