Solar Energy in Cedar Rapids, IA: Facts, Statistics, Business (2023)

FAQs

What are some facts and statistics on solar energy? ›

About 2.8% of the electricity generated in the U.S. is powered by solar energy. Solar accounted for 13.5% of electricity generated by renewable sources in 2021. Americans installed enough solar panels in 2022 to power 22 million homes. On average, a residential solar system costs $10,878–$21,756 in the U.S.

Electricity Bill Savings

The average homeowner in Iowa pays around $107.78 per month for electricity, so the annual savings your solar panels can provide can be as high as $1,293. After the energy savings pay off your solar panels, they will save you an average of $17,572 over the lifespan of your equipment.

The average electric rates in Cedar Rapids, IA cost 18 ¢/kilowatt-hour (kWh), so that means that the average electricity customer in Cedar Rapids, IA is using 1,043 kWh of electricity per month, and 12,516 kWh over the course of the year.

Solar energy is a renewable energy source, meaning you don't ever use it up. Solar energy is clean. It creates no carbon emissions or other heat-trapping “greenhouse” gases. It avoids the environmental damage associated with mining or drilling for fossil fuels.

If your application is approved, you will receive a tax credit certificate that may be claimed on your 2022 Iowa income tax return (i.e. the return that will be filed in 2023). The legislation re-opens and extends the application deadline for residential installations completed during the 2021 calendar year.

Solar energy is the most abundant energy resource on earth -- 173,000 terawatts of solar energy strikes the Earth continuously. That's more than 10,000 times the world's total energy use. 5. The first silicon solar cell, the precursor of all solar-powered devices, was built by Bell Laboratories in 1954.

Where does Cedar Rapids get its electricity? ›

Cedar Rapids Power Plant is a 256.1MW coal fired power project. It is located in Iowa, the US. The project is currently active. It has been developed in multiple phases.

As the second-largest city in the state, we are: The largest corn-processing city in the world. One of the leading manufacturing regions in the United States.

Alliant Energy - Interstate Power and Light Co.

Besides the federal tax credit, solar panels increase property values while lowering utility bills. Compared to gas or electric heating systems, solar panels save you much more in the long-run. Your solar panel system can pay for itself in three years!

Solar panels, also known as photovoltaic or PV panels, are made to last more than 25 years. In fact, many solar panels installed as early as the 1980s are still working at expected capacity. Not only are solar panels remarkably reliable, solar panel longevity has increased dramatically over the last 20 years.

Renewable clean power that is available every day of the year, even cloudy days produce some power. Return on investment unlike paying for utility bills. Virtually no maintenance as solar panels last over 30 years. Creates jobs by employing solar panel manufacturers, solar installers, etc.

At 31.8 MW, Arbor Hill Solar in Greenfield is among the largest solar installations in Iowa. Completed by EDF Renewables in 2022, this solar project has enough electric capacity to power more than 4,125 homes.

Honolulu leads the United States for solar power per person among cities surveyed, followed by Las Vegas, San Diego, Albuquerque and San Jose.

Which state is largest producer of solar energy? ›

Rajasthan — 16.06 GW

Rajasthan has the highest solar power generation potential of any state in the country.

In 2021, 58% of Iowa's total electricity net generation came from wind, the largest wind power share of any state. In 2021, nearly three-fifths of Iowa's total electricity net generation came from renewable resources, almost all of it from wind.

Renewable sources powered 88.5% of MidAmerican Iowa customers' energy in 2021.

Iowa laws help you go solar

Net metering allows you to send your extra electricity back into the grid and get credits on your electric bill. When your panels aren't producing all the electricity you need, you can use your credits instead of having to pay for electricity from your utility.

There are 3 solar companies in Iowa on the EnergySage Marketplace.

Iowa solar tax credit

Iowa offers a personal tax credit equal to 50% of the federal solar tax credit of 26%. So, for an average 6-kW solar energy system installed for $18,000, you are eligible for $4,680 from the Federal government (26% * $18,000), and an additional $2,340 (50% of the Federal credit).

One of the biggest problems that solar energy technology poses is that energy is only generated while the sun is shining. That means nighttime and overcast days can interrupt the supply.

The industry standard for the lifespan of solar panels is 25-30 years. However, a solar panel won't die after 25-30 years – rather, its power output will decrease a significant amount below what the manufacturer projected.

Solar Panels FAQ

Yes, solar panels will raise your home's property value. Although the added value can vary by location, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) found that home value increases by $20 for every $1 saved on your utility bills. This translates to a higher market value when selling your home.

Become a green business

Generating electricity from solar energy means your company uses less fossil fuel, reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. By switching to solar power your company does its part to fight climate change and to reduce our country's dependence of foreign energy sources.

How much do solar panels save? ›

On average, U.S. customers save about $1,500 a year by going solar – $37,500 over the course of 25 years. But for individual solar energy systems, these savings can vary from $10,000 – $90,000 depending on roof size, sunlight exposure, local energy rates and solar incentives.

The efficiency of solar panels has improved dramatically in recent years, from an average of around 15% conversion of sunlight to usable energy to around 20%. High-efficiency solar panels can reach as much as nearly 23%.

Where is solar energy produced? Homes in California produced the most solar energy compared to any other state in 2019, producing 9.3 million megawatthours, or enough electricity to power an average of about 851,000 homes.

The historic 142 MW Keokuk hydroelectric station on the Mississippi River is Iowa's longest serving facility since 1913.

Where Does Our Water Come From? The City of Cedar Rapids obtains its drinking water supplies from shallow vertical and collector wells constructed in the sand and gravel deposits along the Cedar River. Those deposits form an underground water-bearing layer called an alluvial aquifer.

The Iowa Utility Association's members are Alliant Energy, Black Hills Energy, ITC Midwest, MidAmerican Energy Company and NextEra Energy Resources. These utilities provide energy for millions of Iowans to go about their lives in the forms of natural gas and electricity.

He is Iowa's richest man and as of 2020, the state's only billionaire. Owning nearly 15,000 acres of land in Iowa through his private ownership of Stine Seed, Harry Stine is Iowa's largest land owner. In 2018, he was listed as the wealthiest in Iowa with a net worth of $3.2 billion by Forbes.

Major sectors by employment in Iowa include Healthcare and Social Assistance, Retail Trade and Information, which employed 247,078, 214,915 and 154,230 people in 2022, respectively.

What are the biggest utilities in Iowa? ›

Those include the largest: Des Moines-based MidAmerican Energy and Alliant Energy's Iowa subsidiary, Interstate Power and Light Co.

On average, Iowa residents spend about $140 per month on electricity. That adds up to $1,680 per year. That's 30% lower than the national average electric bill of $2,404.

The Vanguard Group, Inc.

Solar energy has been used for over 2700 years. In 700 BC, glass lenses were used to make fire by magnifying the sun's rays. The Greeks and Romans were the first to use passive solar designs. Buildings with south facing windows allowed the sun to heat and light indoor spaces.

Solar energy is a renewable, inexhaustible and affordable form of energy. It can be used to cook food, heat water, and generate electricity. Furthermore, electrical energy generated from solar energy can be stored in solar cells.

When you're doing your research for this sustainable energy source, it's important to factor in how long solar panels typically last. The industry standard for most solar panels' lifespans is 25 to 30 years. Most reputable manufacturers offer production warranties for 25 years or more.

Solar panels, also known as photovoltaic or PV panels, are made to last more than 25 years. In fact, many solar panels installed as early as the 1980s are still working at expected capacity. Not only are solar panels remarkably reliable, solar panel longevity has increased dramatically over the last 20 years.

The Solar System provides the only known example of a habitable planet, the only star we can observe close-up, and the only worlds we can visit with space probes. Solar System research is essential for understanding the origin and evolution of planets, along with the conditions necessary for life.

Many renewable energy sources such as wind, hydro and biomass are mainly derived from solar energy. Therefore, solar acts as a mother of most energy sources. 3. By 2050, International Energy Agency(IEA) says that the solar will be world's single largest source of electricity, supplying close to 30% of total.

What are 3 characteristics of solar energy? ›

Solar energy is an inexhaustible, clean, renewable energy source. Photovoltaic cells are a key component in solar power generation, so thorough research on output characteristics is of far-reaching importance.