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Alliant says more of its own customers generating renewable energy

CEDAR RAPIDS – This year, Alliant Energy electric utility customers across Iowa will generate more renewable energy than ever before.

In the last three years, the number of Alliant Energy customers who have installed a renewable energy generation system on their home or business in Iowa has grown to 520. These customers will be able to generate more than 23.3 Megawatts (MW) of energy for the electrical grid.

For the few hours a day when the sun is at its peak, and when the wind is blowing consistently hard, these generators can power up to 23,000 homes.

“One of the best ways to make sure we have a secure energy future is to have a balanced and diverse generating fleet for energy,” said Jeanine Penticoff, director of renewable energy and energy efficiency at Alliant Energy. “Renewable energy is an important part of that balance, and we encourage customers who want to generate renewable energy to work with us to make sure they are protected and safe.”

Alliant Energy works with customers through interconnection agreements. These agreements ensure a system is installed safely, and that it works together with the existing electric grid.

Across Iowa, the wind is powering more than 136 systems installed by customers, and when the wind is strong, they can generate up to 9.3 MW. Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are more prevalent. There are 412 Alliant Energy customers who have installed units in Iowa. When it is sunny, these solar units can generate about 6 MW.

Alliant Energy also generates energy from additional utility-owned renewable resources. Through wind, hydro, and biogas, Alliant Energy generates or has purchase agreements for more than 1,200 MW of renewable and alternative energy sources.

“We continue to work with customers to develop renewable energy through a thoughtful and structured manner,” said Penticoff. “We want to support distributed generation, while making sure the grid is safe and reliable and that customers who don’t own their own generation are not burdened with extra costs.”

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