Alliant Energy seeks solar projects

If you are a solar energy developer considering a fairly large scale installation, Alliant Energy would like to hear from you.

The Madison, Wis.-based company's Iowa utility is requesting proposals for new solar projects that could increase its systemwide solar generation by 50 percent. The projects should be between one and 10 megawatts, which could power between 200 and 2,000 average homes.

'We're in a transition right now as we continue to move to a cleaner energy future,” said Doug Kopp, president of Alliant Energy's Iowa utility, in a news release. 'We've been increasing the use of different types of renewable energy for years, and now we are exploring ways to specifically provide solar power to our customers.”

Alliant Energy is seeking a variety of options and configurations for new solar generation. The company hopes that developers will bring innovation to their proposals.

'We will be considering a wide range of options, from larger utility-scale solar fields to smaller community solar programs,” Kopp said. 'We will engage customers, key stakeholders and interested parties to help us develop the new program options, rates and services.”

Alliant Energy' Iowa customers have connected 1,650 individual solar or wind systems to the company's electric system. Iowa ranks among the top third of states in the technical potential for solar PV energy production, according to the Iowa Environmental Council.

When Mike Bates was seeking to reduce operating costs for his Washington County farm, 400-foot turkey sheds provided the perfect location for installation of a 100-kilowatt solar array.

'I already had the existing buildings at the right angle to the sun to take advantage of all of that energy from the sun,” Bates said. 'For me to take better care of my turkeys, I needed to use more fans and more electricity.”

Kopp said the desire to tap into renewable energy is broader than the number of homes and businesses that are suitable for rooftop solar arrays.

'We're working on new energy solutions for our communities and customers,” he said.