PALO, Iowa — A new solar plant outside of Palo, located in Linn county, is on track to be completed by the end of 2024. And once up and running, the goal is to provide renewable and reliable energy to the community.
The Duane Arnold Solar Project, developed by NextEra Energy, is a 200 megawatt solar project with a long-term plan to create clean, reliable energy.
There are two separate phases of the project:
Phase 1 was completed on March 31st, and uses about 100 acres of land east of Palo Marsh Road for photovoltaic arrays producing 50 megawatts of electricity.
Phase 2 is currently underway, and will produce 150 megawatts of electricity.
The overall cost of both phases is more than $300 million.
“Transitioning to renewable energy, like solar, reduces our carbon dioxide emissions, it creates cleaner air for future generations, and also uses less water,” Alliant Energy Spokesperson Morgan Hawk said.
Alliant Energy, who will own the site after completion, is aiming to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050.
And along with environmental benefits, they say this new plant will provide economic gains: the addition of construction jobs, the attraction of new businesses, and provide a tax revenue to communities.
“We really look at the benefits of the solar project”, Hawk said, “it’s bringing reliable energy to customers moving forward, as we really diversify our energy mix. And in continuing to strengthen the grid moving forward, as well.”
But there are some people who have some objections when it comes to solar plants. People often worry that these plants are unattractive, or that they will disrupt the farmland and surrounding natural landscapes.
Last summer, those at a public hearing on the project raised concerns in several areas, including a balance for agriculture and solar, as well as the plant to operate as a good neighbor for close land owners.
But workers on the project assure people that the positives and long-term effects, outweigh the negatives.
And Alliant Energy also plans to open two more solar sites, near Wever in southeast Iowa and Creston in south-central Iowa, by the end of the year.
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