Post Author's Photographer By Kristin Eggen May 21, 2020

By Jim Martin-Schramm

The director of Luther College’s Center for Sustainable Communities, Jim Martin-Schramm, presented “Solar to Storage” during the Winneshiek Energy District’s Online Lunch Webinar on Tuesday, May 19.

Jim spoke about Luther’s latest renewable energy project, which will involve the installation of another large solar array and energy storage system in the field near the intersection of US-52 and Pole Line Road.

This will be the third solar project Luther has developed in a partnership with a local investor. The system will be installed by a local firm, Perry Novak Electric and the energy storage system was sourced through Luther’s wholesale electricity supplier, Werner Electric.

The 950 kW (DC) solar photovoltaic array will generate around 1.2 million kilowatt hours per year, which is about ten percent of Luther’s current annual consumption. The project will help Luther reduce its carbon footprint by another 5 percent. Both percentages will increase as Luther continues to make investments in energy efficiency.

The 370 kW lithium-ion battery storage system will discharge power for up to four hours during periods of peak power consumption on the Luther campus. This will help Luther reduce its annual electricity costs, which are pegged to annual peak demand.

Luther’s electricity costs have been increasing at an average rate of 4.72 percent over the past 15 years. The ten-year power purchase agreement enables Luther to source carbon-free electricity and reduce campus operating costs at the same time. All of the energy will be used on campus; none will be exported to the grid.

The project was facilitated in part by studies conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in 2016-2017. Luther was one of fifteen colleges and universities NREL selected to provide free consultation regarding the viability of solar + storage systems.

Ranked nationally in the top 10 colleges for campus sustainability, Luther has made serious commitments to energy efficiency and renewable energy with a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 70% and becoming carbon neutral by the year 2030.

For more information, contact Jim Martin-Schramm at marschja@luther.edu.

Watch the webinar recording below.


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.

Love this post?

Share it with family and friends.

Sign up for our newsletter.

Don’t miss these

How to Request Use of the Mobile Solar Generator

August 13, 2026

Winneshiek County Emergency Management welcomes community organizations and municipalities to request use of the county’s newest asset for temporary use at special events. The Sun …

WED Speaks in Support of Energy Committee, Solar at School Board meeting

August 5, 2026

At the June 13, 2026 Decorah Community School District school board meeting Executive Director Kristin Eggen shares support for creating an ad hoc energy policy …

Solar Ribbon Cutting at Winneshiek County Recycling Facility

February 3, 2026

The sun shone on Tuesday, January 28 as a small crowd gathered to celebrate Winneshiek County Recycling’s one year anniversary of being a solar powered …