Middle Schoolers are schooling adults when it comes to climate advocacy

August 27, 2024

On Friday, October 25, ten students from the Decorah Middle School’s Climate Change Action Group (CCAG) did a presentation to a small group at the Winneshiek Energy District office. The topic? Their vision for a …

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Free Energy Coaching Available for Farms and Small Businesses

August 27, 2024

Clean Energy Districts of Iowa (CEDI), a nonprofit consortium of Energy Districts based in 13 counties in Iowa, is offering free energy coaching to assist farms and small businesses in applying for USDA grant funding …

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Logo for Winneshiek Energy District featuring a stylized town silhouette, a wind turbine, solar panels, and a radiant yellow sky.

Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Fact Sheets

March 30, 2024

Starting in 2024 the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is ushering in a suite of tax credits and rebates for Americans looking to invest in clean energy. More rebate programs are anticipated to become available later …

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Logo for Winneshiek Energy District featuring a stylized town silhouette, a wind turbine, solar panels, and a radiant yellow sky.

Decorah Family Cuts the Gas Line and Goes All Electric

August 7, 2023

Guest Story by Laura Peterson Earlier this month our energy utility came to shut off our natural gas connection. Usually, having your gas service cut off means either you’re moving to a new house or …

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Logo for Winneshiek Energy District featuring a stylized town silhouette, a wind turbine, solar panels, and a radiant yellow sky.

Moving the Needle: How One Rural Congregation Electrified its Building and Secured its Future

July 27, 2023

Guest Story by Jim and Liz Fritz,Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Decorah, IowaIs it possible for a small Midwestern Lutheran congregation to go from eight natural gas furnaces to eight heat pumps and create all needed …

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Logo for Winneshiek Energy District featuring a stylized town silhouette, a wind turbine, solar panels, and a radiant yellow sky.

2023 Solar Tax Incentives

July 2, 2023

Solar PV tax incentives are a powerful financial incentive for homeowners, farmers, and business owners considering going solar. Unfortunately, renewable energy tax credits are not refundable, and so not a fair incentive for those with …

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Inflation Reduction Act

July 2, 2023

Update: On July 4. 2025 the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed into law, repealing a significant portion of the Inflation Reduction Act.  The Inflation Reeducation Act is landmark federal legislation that advances key priories of …

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Does Solar Increase the Resale Value of Your House?

June 15, 2023

When it comes to buying and selling a home, what exactly is the value of solar? Does having solar panels on your roof actually increase your home’s value at the time of sale? How can …

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2023 Winneshiek Energy District Home Tour, June 10th

April 28, 2023

Tour area homes and learn about solar installations, heat pumps, energy efficiency, and sustainable building practices! Winneshiek Energy District is excited to partner with six Decorah area homeowners for self-guided tours, Saturday, June 10th from …

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Energy Lunch Recap: Nonprofits and the IRA

March 3, 2023

by Paul Cutting, Energy PlannerOn March 21st, WED hosted an Energy Lunch to discuss how the new direct pay option allows non taxable entities to take advantage of the 30% federal renewable energy refundable tax …

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Solar Farming Bans Proposed, Solar Prosperity At Risk Throughout Rural Iowa

January 30, 2023

Rural Solar Prosperity Under Attack In Iowa; Farm Solar Ban ProposedRecent years have witnessed a significant rise of anti-solar activism around Iowa (and the Midwest), and the sentiment is spreading to the Legislature. Efforts are …

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Tour Downtown Decorah’s Secret Rooftop Solar

November 3, 2022

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Solar Suitability Rating High Throughout Iowa

November 3, 2022

Andy Johnson, Executive DirectorIt is abundantly clear that we need more large-scale solar (and storage) to complement the high penetration of large-scale wind in Iowa and promote a cleaner and more reliable grid. Yet the …

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The Future of Battery Backup is Your Vehicle

October 28, 2022

Paul Cutting, Energy PlannerProlonged power outages in the wake of natural disasters show the value of solar with backup battery capabilities. Following Hurricane Ian back in September, many areas were left without power for weeks, …

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Solar Resources for Local Governments

July 2, 2022

Solar PV can be a solid financial decision for your taxpayers, a critical kick-start to a local solar market, and an important leadership statement.  This page is meant to consolidate resources relevant to local governments …

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