Winneshiek Energy District to host solar workshops; One scheduled in Waukon March 3
Winneshiek Energy District is working with local partners to bring five Go Solar! Workshops to Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette and Howard counties in February and March of 2016. Attendees can learn solar basics, meet contractors and see solar in action at host sites, among other things.
A solar workshop is scheduled for Allamakee County for Thursday, March 3 in the Community Room at Farmers & Merchants Savings Bank in Waukon. The workshops will be held according to the following schedule:
• February 25: Clayton County; Keystone AEA in Elkader
• March 1: Chickasaw County; New Hampton Community Center
• March 3: Allamakee County; Farmers and Merchants Savings Bank in Waukon
• March 8: Howard County; Cresco Bank and Trust in Cresco
• March 10: Fayette County; West Union Public Library (tentative).
The workshops are focused on farmers, homeowners, business owners and anyone else interested in installing and owning renewable solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Installed solar PV prices have dropped dramatically in recent years, and it is now a very cost-effective option for farms, businesses, households, according to Andy Johnson, Director of the Winneshiek Energy District, with federal and state tax credits available to make the economics even better, although the future of the Iowa credits beyond 2016 is uncertain.
Each workshop location will adhere to the following schedule:
12:15 p.m. - Expo Opens: Solar contractors will be available to answer questions and schedule site visits.
1 p.m. - Presentation by Energy District personnel, including renewable energy in context: local opportunity, efficiency first, unique opportunity for agriculture; technical and financial basics of solar PV system; solar owner panel Q&A, hopefully including farmer, business owner, and homeowner; and utility representation to answer interconnection and related questions.
3 p.m. - Optional tour: visit a farm or a home with solar, hear about the process and get advice directly from the owner at their own location. Transportation will not be provided, but maps will available at the workshop. Each site host begins a brief explanation at 3 p.m.
Registration is free, and is needed to plan space and related logistics, and to provide notification of any changes. Space may be limited, registration is first come, first serve. Registration may be accomplished online at www.energydistrict.org/projects/solar-workshops.
For additional information, contact Andy Johnson at the Winneshiek Energy District office, 563-382-4207.
