Post Author's Photographer By Kristin Eggen July 2, 2025

Efficiency First, Solar Second

Before considering solar, make your home as efficient as possible. It doesn’t make much sense to install an 8 kW system for $20,000 if you could first reduce your electrical usage by investing $4,000 in an energy saving upgrade, and then only need to build a 5 kW system for $12,500.

The Cost of Solar

The cost of solar has decreased dramatically in recent years.  In 2014, costs were just over $4 per watt. Today prices are roughly half that.

With higher electricity costs (which will continue to rise), many if not most of Winneshiek County households, farms, and businesses could see simple payback times under 8 years. Quality panels and inverters can easily produce energy for 25 years or more.

Solar energy is an investment, but in most cases a good one. And don’t forget: clean energy is also an investment in a better future.

Financing

Solar photovoltaics is still a major investment – but it’s also a sound investment in a solid asset with close to guaranteed return. As such, solar is very often eligible for financing on good terms.  Decorah Bank and Trust (a sponsor of the Energy District) is currently offering energy efficiency/renewable energy loans specifically for projects such as this.

Choose Your Site

For on-site solar PV, you need a relatively shade-free, south facing location, whether “ground mount” or “roof mount”. A good solar site assessment and consultation by the Energy District will review all this and much more.

A solar PV array on your building or property is somewhat of a fixed asset — it can be moved but is best left in place for quite some time. This means that if you sell, you’ll want that investment reflected in the valuation of your property. This is growing area of interest and learning within the real estate community, and if you plan to sell in the near future you may want to have discussions with appraisers, realtors, and others.

Choosing a Solar Contractor

Outside Resources


Kristin Eggen first came to the Winneshiek Energy District as a Green Iowa AmeriCorps member in 2015. Eight years later, she is thrilled to lead the grassroots clean energy movement in Winneshiek County. Kristin deeply appreciates rural communities, Northeast Iowa, community sustainability, and nonprofit management. She uses The Art of Hosting Conversations that Matter methodology and graphic recording services to drive strategic conversations around community sustainability, justice, fundraising, and nonprofit health.

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