Post Author's Photographer By Andy Johnson July 23, 2021

Piper Wood, Green Iowa AmeriCorps Member

In 2013, the Winneshiek Energy District featured some solar partners in Decorah that had “hidden solar’ in the community, to bring awareness to the lesser known but highly important commercial solar projects that led the way in our county’s solar story. Seven years later, we are revisiting the secret solar that exists in our community, often right in front of our eyes! In seven years commercial solar installation has made huge strides, thanks to local partnerships and energy rebates, which have led to an increase in solar energy on the grid in Winneshiek County. This summer we set out to check in on some of the long standing solar partners in the community to see how their solar journeys were shaping up seven years on, and chatted with solar partners that had made the energy transition in the last seven years. Read on to learn more about the local solar power you can’t always see!

In the initial article, the Winneshiek Energy District pointed to three new projects of rooftop solar in downtown Decorah, Oneota Valley Eyecare, Pizza Ranch, and the Central Block Building. Since then, these projects have continued to produce renewable energy for our Northeast Iowa grid, and have led the way for future rooftop solar projects. It is exciting to look back on the ambitions of the Energy District in 2013 and see how commercial and residential solar projects have secured our place as a regional renewable energy leader! These early energy partners have continued to play an integral role in getting solar energy onto the grid, far after their initial installation. On a sunny day in Decorah, Oneota Valley Family Eye Care’s 19.5 kW system produces roughly 70 kWh per day!

Eight years later, the future of solar energy in Decorah seems even brighter than it did in 2013. Today, it is common to encounter solar panels on many downtown businesses, some being more obvious than others. The Co-op installed a 20,000 watt solar array on the roof of their building in downtown Decorah in 2014. This will be one of the largest downtown solar projects in Decorah and supplies approximately 5% of the Co-op’s electricity in a year. Through a bid process, the Co-op contracted Decorah Electric to install the 80-panel system which was completed in October of 2014.

Weis Buick is another community solar partner that installed solar on their roof. Weis capitalized on the final year of the Alliant Solar rebate, and worked with Decorah Bank and Trust through a low interest loan to finance the initial solar transition. Weis Buick had a great experience with their solar installation, and their prime location on College Drive gets a great amount of sun for optimal efficiency of their system. The dealership has found that their solar array pays about half of their overall electricity costs, and expects the whole system to be paid off within five years.

In 2019, Pulpit Rock Brewing Company joined the growing number of Decorah businesses in installing solar. Owner Pete Espinoza chose solar for its dual environmental and fiscal benefits to the business. The system was installed by local electric company, Massman Electric. Oneota Valley Eyecare was a featured partner in our first article back in 2013. Dr. Ben Schwartz, DDS, shared insights on the cost savings they have experienced since their initial installation of their 19.5 kW system in 2012, as well as the community partners that have inspired additional solar in the community.

“I thank Decorah Bank and Trust for serving as an example of how solar could be done…We are saving roughly 30% on our electrical energy bills. And as rates continue to climb, that becomes more valuable all the time.”

The flux of solar power into the community through helpful local partnerships and cost sharing rebate programs. In addition to guidance and conference with the Winneshiek Energy District, many solar partners pointed to collaboration between themselves and existing solar energy leaders in the community. Being able to consult with other local business owners about their experience installing solar panels, and the long term financial benefits that they were reaping contrbuted greatly to the rise in solar power on our local energy grid. In addition, many businesses relied on energy tax credits made possible in partnership with Alliant Energy.

In the last eight years, solar in Decorah has become less and less “?hidden’ and more and more commonplace as local businesses start to install solar on their rooftops. Other local solar partners include West Side Dental Clinic, which produces 130 kWh on a good solar day from their 14.5 kW solar array. Their new neighbor, the Landing Market, has also recently invested in solar energy. On Water Street, T-Bock’s Bar and Grill and Mabe’s Pizza have rooftop solar arrays, which are perfectly suited to soak up sunlight all day and bring renewable energy onto the grid. Solar energy isn’t a game reserved for new buildings, either; The Porterhouse Museum, a historic Decorah residence, recently installed a solar array on their roof. The work of “?hidden solar’ in Decorah gets to the heart of a mission that hasn’t changed since our first article in 2013, or our Energy District’s mission from the start: solar anywhere, seen or unseen, contributes to a more sustainable, more resilient life for our energy grid, and our local community. The sun sees these solar arrays every day, and that is what matters most! Want to get to know the solar installations in Northeast Iowa? We invite you to take yourself on a trip around the region using our Energy District Solar Map, to learn more about solar energy that might be right in front of your eyes!

Energy District Solar Map: http://tools.energydistrict.org/rmap/

View drone footage of Decorah’s Secret Solar on YouTube.


Director of Winneshiek Energy District

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 …

Commercial AuditPlus+ Program Expands to Serve Five-Counties

July 6, 2026

The Winneshiek Energy District is proud to announce that the Commercial AuditPlus+ program is now available to commercial utility customers in two additional counties – …