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Renewable Energy is Paying Off for Iowa Communities
For 10 years,
wind, solar, and battery investment has strengthened county budgets, eased the property tax burden on homeowners, and brought new activity to Main Streets across Iowa.
For the leaders responsible for their communities’ fiscal health and economic vitality, renewable energy has already proven itself as a foundation to build on.
Renewables – A Foundation for Growth
$1.22 billion
in new local tax revenue generated by wind and solar since 2010
$23 billion
invested in Iowa renewables, 2016–2025
$194 saved annually
by homeowners in wind districts
26% lower
property taxes in wind-producing districts
Wind Energy Means Iowa Taxpayers Pay Less…
When a wind project comes online, it brings new revenue that didn’t exist before that doesn’t come from residents’ pockets.
The result shows up at tax time.
$194 less per year — paid by the average homeowner in a school district with average wind production, compared to a district with no wind
26% higher — property taxes in districts without large-scale wind production, compared to districts with it
4.67 to 3.46 mills — average school district levy falls as wind turbine count rises from zero to 100+
…While County Budgets Grow
Local leaders often face a hard choice: cut services or raise taxes. Counties with wind development have found a third way. New industrial tax revenue from wind property has let counties like Adams and O’Brien expand what they can fund, from roads, schools, and emergency services, while keeping levy rates in line with neighboring counties that have no wind at all.
Since 2010, this has added up to real money flowing into local government, with zero new burden on residents.
$1.22 billion — in new local property tax revenue from wind and solar, 2010–2025
$276 million — in additional indirect state tax revenue from renewable-driven economic activity
$664 per household — in industrial wind property tax revenue collected in Adams County by 2024, up from near zero before 2015
Main Street Benefits
Beyond tax revenue, wind energy construction and operations bring real economic activity to host communities.
During construction of major wind projects, taxable sales per capita in host counties consistently outperformed similar counties without wind development, sometimes by double digits.
+11.4%
growth in taxable sales per capita in Adams County during Prescott Wind Farm development, while sales in neighboring Ringgold County declined
+15.1%
growth in taxable sales per capita in O’Brien County during Highland Wind Project construction, outperforming neighboring Lyon County
The Track Record is Proven. The Opportunity Ahead is Even Bigger.
Common Sense Institute Iowa projects $29 billion more in renewable energy investment (wind, solar and battery storage) in Iowa through 2035. If that investment continues, here’s what it could mean for the state.
$29 billion
projected investment, 2026–2035
7,000
average new jobs per year
$10.6 billion
additional GDP growth
$17.4 billion
in new business sales
$6.9 billion
additional disposable personal income
Building on What's Already Working
Bright Future Iowa is talking with leaders across the state about how renewable energy can keep Iowa’s communities strong — without burdening the families who call them home.
Data sourced from Common Sense Institute, “Iowa’s Renewable Advantage: Driving Jobs, Growth, and Property Tax Relief” and “Wind, Solar, and Battery Storage: A View of the Economic Future With and Without Their Contribution,” February 2026.