Grow Solar surpasses first benchmark

POWESHIEK COUNTY— The Grow Solar Jasper + Poweshiek County program surpassed its first 50 kW solar installation benchmark thanks to participation from Jasper and Poweshiek County residents and business owners.

This group-buy program allows individual home, farm and commercial property owners to access competitive prices for solar installations through the power of volume purchasing, said Grow Solar in a press release.

The achievement of this benchmark triggers a price break of $70/kW for all participants, which could be an additional $900 in savings on the average size solar installation, Grow Solar said.

Pricing will decrease again when the group collectively reaches solar installation benchmarks of 150 kW, 250 kW and 350 kW.

Group purchase programs provide residents and businesses with the opportunity to invest in high-quality, renewable energy solar installations, while also helping reach sustainability goals. In similar programs, estimated first-year savings on utility bills have ranged from $690 to more than $1,000, depending on the size of the array, the press release said.

Following the passage of H.R.1 by Congress, the federal solar tax credits for residents will phase out and expire in December of this year. The Grow Solar program provides an opportunity for those interested in going solar to learn more and begin their solar journey this year while the federal tax credit is still available.

The program is coordinated by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, 1000 Friends of Iowa and the Nature Conservancy in Iowa, with community support from Jasper County, the City of Newton, the City of Prairie City and Imagine Grinnell, said Grow Solar.

The Grow Solar program began hosting “Solar Power Hour” informational sessions in May. During these free, hour-long presentations, representatives of the program give a brief explanation of the program, discuss the projected costs of installing solar and highlight the benefits of going solar.

The program’s website, growsolar.org/jasper-poweshiek, features a sign-up form on which area residents and business owners can elect to receive a free solar estimate or general program updates and Solar Power Hour announcements.

Presentations are set for July 15 at 5:30 p.m. at First State Bank in Montezuma, July 30 at noon online, Aug. 5 at noon online and Aug. 20 at 5:30 p.m. at the Brooklyn Opera House.

For full details about time, location and how to register for events, visit growsolar.org/jasper-poweshiek .

The program is administered by the MREA at no cost to the communities. This type of program has been successful in other Iowa communities, including Waukee, Dallas County, Warren, Linn, Johnson, Polk and Jackson Counties, Grow Solar said.