Central Iowa Power Cooperative Unveils Utility-Scale Solar Construction at ZON VELD Solar

Congressman Dave Loebsack address those gathered at the solar project. (submitted photo)

Part of a 5.5MW solar project, Iowa’s largest

PELLA, IA – Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO) and Pella Cooperative Electric showcased the construction progress at the ZON VELD solar site, one of CIPCO’s 5.5 MW utility-scale solar project sites, on Thursday.

CIPCO launched Iowa’s first utility-owned solar project on five sites across the service delivery territory in early 2016. Once fully energized in late December, the 5.5 MW system will be Iowa’s largest operating solar energy system. This multi-site solar installation is the first phase in CIPCO’s long-term plan to incorporate solar as an additional emission and carbon-free resource within the generation portfolio.

“CIPCO is proud to showcase the construction of the Pella site within our solar initiative,” stated CEO Dennis Murdock. “Partnering with our member, Pella Cooperative Electric, provided access to an exceptional site for solar generation.”

Utility-scale solar provides reliable, clean electricity generation and compliments CIPCO’s existing energy generation portfolio. The development and installation costs for utility-scale systems have fallen significantly in recent years creating an opportunity for CIPCO to invest in this alternative, carbon-free resource. CIPCO’s current generation portfolio is nearly 60 percent emission and carbon-free. The new facilities will provide CIPCO with additional resources for distributing electricity to its members throughout the state of Iowa.

CIPCO is Iowa’s largest cooperative energy provider serving 13 electric cooperatives and associations spanning 58 of Iowa’s 99 counties. CIPCO is a generation and transmission cooperative supplying power to its member distribution cooperatives covering a territory which stretches 300 miles diagonally across the state from the Mississippi River on the east to Shenandoah in the southwest. CIPCO supplies all power requirements for its member cooperatives, and as their power provider, CIPCO is dedicated to delivering quality, safe and reliable service at the lowest possible cost.