Solar farms produce more than just clean energy -

They deliver economic benefits, from drought-proof revenue for farmers, to millions in economic investment and construction jobs for nearby communities.

Solar farms produce more than just clean energy –

They deliver economic benefits, from drought-proof revenue for farmers, to millions in economic investment and construction jobs for nearby communities.

Duane Arnold Solar I & II Operational by Year-End

Duane Arnold Solar in Linn County will generate up to 200 megawatts of clean, renewable, American-made energy, paired with 75 megawatts of battery energy storage.

Solar Farms Enjoy Broad Support in Linn County

Bright Future Iowa co-chairs Swati Dandekar and Gentry Collins discuss the wide-ranging coalition that’s come together to support solar farms in Linn County.

Solar Farms Create Jobs and Future Opportunities

Solar farms create jobs and opportunities, both for experienced tradesmen and women, but also for young people new to the trades. That’s the message from London Moorehouse, assistant business manager of IBEW #4, when spoke to us in Cedar Rapids recently.

Benefits of Duane Arnold Solar in Linn County

The next phases of Duane Arnold will deliver additional benefits to Linn County!

How Much Land Does Solar Really Use?

Solar farms under development use less than 1% of total farmland – far less than solar opponents would have you believe. Here are some facts that put the amount of land used by solar farms in Linn County in perspective.

Property Rights of Farmers Under Attack

Watch as a solar opponent attacks a land owner for solar

Anti Solar NIMBY activists are increasingly trying to limit the property rights of farmers who voluntarily decide to lease part of their own land for solar.

NIMBY activists suggest farmers leasing to solar or wind do not have a right to keep their farms

Bipartisan Support for Renewables as a Property Right

No Data Found

64% agree

farmers should not be told by the government what to do with their land and can develop renewable energy projects if they choose.

No Data Found

Renewables and Clean Energy

Iowans Support Renewable Energy!

Renewables provide clean, affordable energy, bring millions in private economic investment to Iowa, helping local economies and farmers, while bringing in new businesses and jobs.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Percentage of farmland used

Both Duane Arnold Solar and the Coggon Solar farms, combined, would use less than 1% of Linn County farmland. That farmland is voluntarily leased to the projects by farmers, who are best suited to decide what is best for their land and families. 

Solar panels are solid

Solar panels are solid and sealed and cannot be penetrated by rainwater. In the same way the screens on the smartphones we carry with us all the time do not leak, solar panels do not leach. 

Removal of solar panels

At the end of the project the companies must remove all the panels and equipment and return the land to its original state. 

Solar panels are safe for the enviroment

As the Sierra Club states: Solar power “has no carbon emissions and NO other harmful toxic emissions, including mercury, lead and cadmium.”

Soil preservation

Proper soil management during the project contributes to agricultural sustainability. Farmers can resume planting crops after decommissioning if they choose.

Solar energy generated will power local homes

Power from both proposed Linn County solar farms will help power local Linn County residents. Coggon solar farm will flow to the Linn County Rural Electric Cooperative, and power from the Duane Arnold solar farm will serve Alliant customers in Iowa.

Protecting the land

Solar developers make plans to control erosion and runoff by adding vegetation around the panels, as well as beautify the site with natural buffers.  They also set aside money to restore the land to the same or better condition it was in before, after the solar farm lease ends, so farmers can resume crop farming, if they wish.

Wind Turbines do not Add to Warming in the U.S.

Some opponents of renewable energy use a misrepresentation 2018 Harvard study to make false claims that wind turbines cause warming. The study has been found to have problems with the models and assumptions used. Yet even taking the study at face-value, it merely states that wind turbines move existing warm air around, just like a window fan in your home. And the study itself says: “Wind beats fossil fuels under any reasonable measure of long-term environmental impacts per unit of energy generated.”

In Iowa, wind energy has helped reduce more than 36 million metric tons of CO2 emitted into our air, provide 8,000+ jobs per year on average and millions of dollars of reliable income for our farmers. Learn more facts about the advantages to wind power in Iowa here: https://www.brightfutureiowa.com/wind-power-facts/

Wind Turbines and Wildlife

According to the Clean Energy Association: “Wind power is far less harmful to wildlife than traditional energy sources it displaces, including to birds and their critical habitats. Overall, wind causes less than 0.01% of all human-related bird deaths. Other causes include buildings (550 million), power lines (130 million), cars (80 million), pesticide poisoning, (67 million), and radio and cell towers (6.8 million).”

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