DUBUQUE – Alliant Energy’s Iowa energy company continues its move toward a clean energy future by placing Iowa’s largest solar garden in service. The record-breaking site is one of two new solar energy resources from Alliant Energy.
As of late September, customers started getting solar energy from the five-megawatt West Dubuque Solar Garden, which is now the state’s largest and most powerful individual site. In addition, customers are also benefitting from the new 1.2-megawatt Port of Dubuque Solar Garden.
“These two solar gardens are part of our plan to harvest a clean energy future for our customers,” said Terry Kouba, vice president of Iowa operations at Alliant Energy. “We’re continuing to diversify our energy resources, and these additions are another step to help us reduce our carbon dioxide emissions by 40 percent by 2030, compared to 2005.”
The solar sites by the numbers:
· Combined size: 6.2 megawatts
· Combined output: 850 homes powered annually
· Combined number of panels: 19,160
· Combined acres used: 27
“Both of these projects are the result of innovative collaboration from the Greater Dubuque Development Corporation and the city of Dubuque,” said Kouba. “The Port of Dubuque location required unique coordination because it’s a former industrial site, and we thank A.Y. McDonald, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the United States Environmental Protection Agency for their assistance to make this a success we can learn from for other sites across the state.”
The Port of Dubuque Solar Garden is located between the city and the Mississippi River. Contractors will continue landscaping work through the fall on this highly visible location along Highway 151. This site will offer an educational display for visitors to learn more about solar energy. A public open house is expected next spring.
Alliant Energy Corporation’s Iowa utility subsidiary, Interstate Power and Light Company (IPL), utilizes the trade name of Alliant Energy. The Iowa utility is based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and provides electric service to 490,000 retail customers and natural gas service to 220,000 retail customers.
