Author name: Dan Clinger

The wind effect, tax relief for Iowa schools

By Tod Bowman, policy associate, Center for Rural Affairs https://www.cfra.org/blog/wind-effect-tax-relief-iowa-schools  Rural Iowa schools are deeply committed to maintaining quality education, but they must continually navigate the fiscal pressures of shrinking enrollment and stagnant local tax bases. In some counties, a steady fiscal boost has arrived in the form of tax revenue from local wind energy […]

The wind effect, tax relief for Iowa schools Read More »

Door to door solar sales

Don’t Open the Door to Solar Scams

Rooftop solar can be a smart investment—but not when it starts with a knock at the door. Door-to-door “green energy” pitches often rely on urgency, identity confusion (“we’re with your utility”), and too-good-to-be-true math. In Iowa, utilities, police, and consumer agencies have all flagged rising complaints tied to these tactics. The pattern is familiar: high-pressure

Don’t Open the Door to Solar Scams Read More »

Solar over time

Solar keeps going strong

Great news—solar panels are aging more gracefully than we thought!A recent study of panels installed between 1987 and 1993 across Switzerland found they’re still providing over 80% of their original capacity after more than 30 years—much longer than typical warranties cover. Researchers say this underscores how durable solar can be when built with robust materials

Solar keeps going strong Read More »

Solar panels covering crops to preserve them for future generations

How Agrivoltaics Safeguard Iowa’s Soil for Generations

I believe General Mills’ pledge to nurture our planet beyond 150 years—by advancing regenerative agriculture on one million acres by 2030—crystalizes the need for long-term land stewardship (see General Mills Regenerative Agriculture) . Perhaps, it seems, pairing solar energy with farming—known as agrivoltaics—could be the linchpin for protecting dirt that fed our grandparents and will

How Agrivoltaics Safeguard Iowa’s Soil for Generations Read More »

How homeowners can produce their own electricity at home

Homegrown Power

Homeowners across the country are eager to seize control of their energy needs—and for good reason. Solar power often steals the spotlight, and it’s easy to see why. Photovoltaic (PV) panels have become more affordable than ever, and slapping them on your roof feels like a no-brainer. But perhaps it seems that every blog, ad,

Homegrown Power Read More »

Scroll to Top