Iowa researchers explore how solar panel height, design affects crop yields
Iowa State University is using a $1.8 million grant to study whether higher solar arrays create better growing conditions for horticultural crops and beekeeping production.
Republican-led community solar legislation moves forward in Missouri and Iowa
Legislation in Missouri aims to launch a three-year pilot program, whereas a new comprehensive community solar policy goes before the House in Iowa.
DOE announces $9.5 million award for Iowa’s first microgrid project
The Montezuma project with a 3 MW solar installation and a battery energy storage system is expected to lower energy costs for residents by as much as 18% and to reduce transmission costs for the utility by 34%
DOE grant funds Iowa State University agrivoltaics study
A $1.8 million grant funds the research of co-locating farming and solar energy production.
Sunrise brief: Bringing ERCOT’s speedy interconnection process to the rest of the U.S.
Also on the rise: Nextracker unveils three next-gen solar racking products. LG Energy Solution to sell residential energy storage with inverter in U.S. And more.
Iowa judge rules solar supports townspeople’s “health and safety”
An Iowa judge dismissed a lawsuit from townspeople opposing a solar power facility, noting that the town’s Comprehensive Plan explicitly promotes renewable energy for the well-being of residents.
DOE announces $26 million to support eight solar, wind and storage demonstration projects
Selected projects in thirteen states and Puerto Rico will be funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and support a resilient grid that automatically adjusts to changing demands.
Sunrise brief: Volatile electricity markets should give solar financial modelers pause
Also on the rise: Silfab Solar raises $125 million for U.S. cell and module manufacturing. Tariff investigation, equipment detainments lead to 16% drop in new solar capacity in 2022. And more.
50 states of solar incentives: Iowa
Iowa has made headway in its adoption of solar since 2020 when its utility-scale market took off. Wind energy continues to dominate the generation mix in the state.
Sunrise brief: EnergySage solar market report finds that as prices rise, customer choice expands
Also on the rise: Law moving forward in Iowa that would ban solar on any land in state measured at minimal “corn suitability rating.” Target launches first net-zero store.Goldman Sachs activates 390MW solar, 561MWh storage in California. Job moves in solar, storage, cleantech, utilities, and energy transition finance. SEPA offers actions and strategies for utilities and other organizations to meet carbon reduction goals.
