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

What you need to know about solar in 2020

February 24, 2020

Interested in investing in solar for your home, farm, or business? 2020 is the perfect time to go solar! A combination of low solar costs combined with federal and state tax credits (which are decreasing …

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

Net Metering Update

January 29, 2020

Iowa electric customers and communities pursuing locally-owned solar energy could be big winners this legislative session, if a tentative deal between solar advocates and MidAmerican Energy is implemented as intended.The deal would codify two versions …

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

Iowa Utility Board rules on Alliant rate case

December 31, 2019

The Utilities Board issued its Final Decision and Order and News Release late last week. Below is the initial statement from the Decorah Area Group, of which WED was a key organizer and partner. We …

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

Solar, Geothermal, and Electric Vehicle Tax Credits

September 27, 2019

Joel Zook, Energy Planner Below is an overview of 2019 tax credits that may help make your next solar, geothermal, or electric vehicle purchase possible. Solar If you haven’t already heard 2019 is the last …

Read More

Bumps and Benefits of DIY Solar at NICC

September 25, 2019

Kristin Eggen, CommunicationsJoin us for an energy lunch. While there are many amazing local solar installers, perhaps you’ve imagined installing your own solar panels? The Winneshiek Energy District and Northeast Iowa Community College invite the …

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

Tax Credits: Our Take

September 24, 2019

With the potential phase-out of various tax credits, we’re often asked (or we offer) our perspective. Here it is, in brief. Renewable energy tax credits have worked: they have driven the scaling up of the …

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

Will The FERC End Net Metering – and Solar Prosperity – Nationwide?

August 27, 2019

What’s At StakeThe end of net metering and local solar prosperity may sound sensationalist, but that appears to be the goal of a new petition filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) by the …

Read More

News from the Winneshiek Solar Fair

April 16, 2019

Briana Burke, Logistics Coordinator, Green Iowa AmeriCorps What can save you money, is good for the environment, creates local jobs, and is the future of energy? Solar panels! While that riddle isn’t too hard to …

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

Joel’s Solar Story

February 25, 2019

So. I placed a down payment on solar last month. I’m committing to the largest purchase I’ve ever made (not counting my house). I’ve sat on the fence on this decision for some time because …

Read More

Proposed Bill Will Kill Iowa’s Solar Industry, Trample Iowan’s Energy Freedom

February 22, 2019

Iowa House Republicans have introduced a long-awaited bill to kill net metering as we know it in Iowa. The bill was apparently drafted by MidAmerican Energy and will likely be supported by Alliant Energy, as …

Read More

Solsmart at October Energy Breakfast

October 9, 2018

Nine northeast Iowa cities and counties are partnering with the Energy Districts of northeast Iowa to evaluate the potential to achieve SolSmart designation. SolSmart is a national program that certifies local governments as solar friendly, …

Read More

Now is the Time to (re)Consider Solar

May 17, 2018

Joel Zook, Energy PlannerI am taking another hard look at solar panels for my home. My roof is not an ideal site for solar; It faces west and is heavily shaded through most of the …

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

Farm Energy Expert Shares Ideas on Efficiency, Renewables

March 28, 2018

Earlier month WED Energy Planner Joel Zook met up with journalist Pam Reinig of the Clayton County Register to talk about farm energy: PR: How many farm energy plans have you conducted? JZ: I’ve done …

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

Howard County Energy District Hosts Solar Tour

March 27, 2017

Cresco, IA – On agreymorning in Howard County renewable energy advocates from Howard County’s newly formed Energy District illuminated the economic and environmental benefits of Iowa solar tax credits on their March 24th Solar Tour. …

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

Act Now On Iowa Solar Policy

January 16, 2017

Two critical Iowa policies that support solar and other renewable energy may be undone in the current legislative session: Net Metering and Tax Credits. You can act now: visit our legislator page, then call or …

Read More