CIPCO Launches Iowa’s Largest Utility Based Solar Project

Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO) launches Iowa’s largest utility based solar project on six sites across the service delivery territory. In late 2015, CIPCO initiated an RFP for the development of utility-scale solar facilities to be located at several member cooperative sites in Iowa. The multi-site solar installation is the first phase in CIPCO’s long-term plan to incorporate solar as an additional emissions-free resource within its generation assets. This initial phase will provide up to 5.5MWs AC of electricity for members served by CIPCO.

“CIPCO is committed to providing environmentally friendly sources of energy to our members across the state,” said CEO Dennis Murdock. “Over half of the energy generated by CIPCO is emissions and carbon-free, and the addition of solar resources continues our commitment to providing a well-balanced generation portfolio.”

CIPCO selected Azimuth Energy LLC of St. Louis, MO to install the photovoltaic utility-scale solar project. Azimuth Energy LLC is an engineering, construction and development-support service company focused on renewable energy and energy efficient projects. CIPCO’s member cooperatives involved in the project are Clarke Electric Cooperative, Consumers Energy, Eastern Iowa Light & Power Cooperative, East-Central Iowa REC, Midland Power Cooperative and Pella Cooperative Electric.

Utility-scale solar provides reliable, clean electricity generation and compliments CIPCO’s existing renewable energy generation portfolio.  The development and installation costs for utility-scale systems have fallen significantly in recent years creating an opportunity for CIPCO to invest in this alternative, carbon-free resource.  The new facilities will provide CIPCO with additional resources for distributing electricity to its members, of all income levels, throughout the state of Iowa.

CIPCO is Iowa’s largest cooperative energy provider serving 13 electric cooperatives and associations spanning 58 of Iowa’s 99 counties. CIPCO is a generation and transmission cooperative supplying power to its member distribution cooperatives covering a territory which stretches 300 miles diagonally across the state from the Mississippi River on the east to Shenandoah in the southwest.  CIPCO supplies all power requirements for its member cooperatives, and as their power provider, CIPCO is dedicated to delivering quality, safe and reliable service at the lowest possible long-term cost.

For More Information:

Kerry Koonce
CIPCO's Manager of Public Affairs and Communications
515-362-7699