Solar Energy
Solar energy is a clean energy source that businesses and residents in Cedar Rapids continue to explore and install. Learn here how this renewable energy is working for the City and may work for you:
Solar Group Buy returns in 2021!
The 2021 Linn & Johnson County Solar Group Buy runs April - August and is a great educational opportunity to learn about solar and learn how the group buy works. Attend one of many Solar Power Hours and learn more about the program by heading to Midwest Renewable Energy's program page.
Solar Group Buy success - 2017 and 2019
The City partnered in the state’s first Solar Group Buy from June-September 2017. 105 homes took advantage of the bulk purchase program, installing 605kW of solar in total. Returning in 2019, Cedar Rapids teamed up with Linn County and other partners to achieve 734kW of total installations on 90 properties. Learn more at the Grow Solar website.
SolSmart recognition - Gold-rated
The City of Cedar Rapids became the first community in Iowa to receive a gold-rating for making solar easy. SolSmart is a national organization that assists and recognizes communities for taking steps to making permitting, inspecting, zoning, and educational processes easy for interested residents. The Cedar Rapids Solar Ready Resolution was signed by City Council in 2017 to begin the process. More about SolSmart and other designated communities can be found on SolSmart's website.
Permitting and inspection:
The City streamlined the Solar Permit Application process. Head to Building Service's Solar Permits page for a Solar Submittal Requirements Checklist and a Solar Permit Application for roof or ground mounted arrays.
City solar projects:
The City uses solar power at four of its facilities, totaling over 200kW and saving over $10,000 every year. These are financed using a Power Purchase Agreement, which requires no up front capital cost. The panels are paid for over time by paying for the solar energy that they produce.
The four sites and size of installations are:
| Location | Size (DC) | Est. production | Current energy production |
| NW Transit Garage | 90.72kW | 117,000kWh/Yr | NW Transit dashboard |
| Chandler St Booster Station | 103.04kW | 118,442kWh/Yr | Chandler dashboard |
| Glass Rd Booster Station | 32.0kW | 38,520kWh/Yr | Glass Rd dashboard |
| Oklahoma Ave Booster Station | 35.28kW | 40,327kWh/Yr | Oklahoma dashboard |
