The Iowa Supreme Court ruled on Friday that Eagle Point Solar would be allowed to sell power generated from solar panels on top of a city building. This decision follows a report earlier this year that the state of Iowa could provide 20% of its energy through solar panels on rooftops.
Such a decision, known as a power purchasing agreement, means that interested parties do not have to pay the upfront cost of buying or leasing solar panels, and can instead purchase the energy from a solar company which provides the panels themselves. These power purchasing agreements are now legal in 23 US states, despite lobbying from entrenched utility corporations who oppose the arrangement.
While solar lags behind wind energy in Iowa, this decision, combined with solar tax credits, are hoped to give new growth to the solar industry. This will particularly effect nonprofits and government agencies hoping to pursue solar, as they cannot currently take advantage of the tax credits in place.
Such a decision, known as a power purchasing agreement, means that interested parties do not have to pay the upfront cost of buying or leasing solar panels, and can instead purchase the energy from a solar company which provides the panels themselves. These power purchasing agreements are now legal in 23 US states, despite lobbying from entrenched utility corporations who oppose the arrangement.
While solar lags behind wind energy in Iowa, this decision, combined with solar tax credits, are hoped to give new growth to the solar industry. This will particularly effect nonprofits and government agencies hoping to pursue solar, as they cannot currently take advantage of the tax credits in place.
