Wind farm operator plans Solon operations center

A wind farm east of Solon will bring some permanent jobs to the area in the form of a new operations and maintenance center.

PNE Wind USA will locate the center in Solon to support a 30-megawatt wind farm east of the community. It will employ a staff of five, according to a statement released Thursday, June 30, by Iowa City Area Development Group.

Hiring for the facility will begin in 2012. Wages will be above the county average, according to the statement.

PNE officials said they expect to have no difficulty finding the qualified staff they need because of the nearby availability of Kirkwood Community College, which offers wind technology instruction.

The wind farm near Solon is expected to be in operation during the final three months of 2012 or the first three months of 2013. It may include wind turbines manufactured locally by Clipper Windpower or Acciona Windpower, the company said.

The development of the wind farm is subject to the approval of a county ordinance that would set up standards for siting of wind farms.