Dubuque leads the way for renewable energy

By Tom Snyder

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Recently, Dubuque became a true leader by becoming the “greenest” city in Iowa and a leader in the renewable energy field.

The Dubuque City Council passed the first solar thermal (ST) ordinance in Iowa on Jan. 3. The significance is huge. Among the big benefits of this ordinance for the consumer are to guarantee a quality product and installation by licensed, trained, professional solar energy people.

It also moves the “forgotten” solar thermal back into the mix of solar energy alternatives for the consumer. And it makes Dubuque a potential leader in creating renewable energy jobs in Iowa and the Midwest.

Solar thermal energy is still the cheapest and most cost-effective method to reduce your energy bills. To many homeowners, solar energy has recently become the “new” but misunderstood and potentially expensive way to control energy use. Yet Dubuque saw a need and purpose for solar licensing and certification, as many other cities and states already do.

Before a Dubuque solar project and permit can even be started, this ordinance requires diagrams and drawings; proof of Solar Rating and Certification Corporation-certified equipment and a solar thermal licensed and trained person. Then there are four inspections during the installation.

These are minimum requirements in 46 of the 50 states. These permit requirements will help guide you to a quality solar domestic hot water and/or heating system purchase and installation.

Because there are no state solar licensing, certification or permit requirements in Iowa, this lack of solar product and installation knowledge makes it a “buyer beware” situation. The Dubuque solar thermal ordinance does include an exception for the homeowner to take a class to receive a permit to do work on their home.

Dubuque is now truly among the elite U.S. cities that sees the potential of creating new jobs. Solar thermal energy knowledge and training are in demand in most every other state. While many plumbers, electricians and heating companies are slow from lack of business and the slow economy, renewable energy businesses are thriving because of the cost of fossil fuel energy sources.

The Dubuque ordinance allows a person who passes the licensing and certification process to do work no one else is qualified for. That can lead to new companies and new careers.

Dubuque has put her best foot forward by creating a responsible environment for new solar businesses and jobs.

Tom Snyder, of Dyersville, is a solar thermal licensing instructor, Northeast Iowa Community College, and was a co-founder of Iowa Renewable Energy Association. Comments: www.sunnystuff.net