The Raccoon Valley Electric Cooperative (RVEC) hosted Gov. Kim Reynolds Tuesday afternoon at the site of their nearly completed solar array about one-half mile west of Coon Rapids on Highway 141. The new location, which will consist of 584 solar panels, is expected to be up and operational by the end of the year. RVEC CEO, Jim Gossett, says the energy will not only be green, but it could also reduce costs for the cooperative and its customers.
Those subscriptions to the solar array can be purchased by RVEC customers after the end of the year. Reynolds, a supporter of renewable energy sources in Iowa, briefly toured the site. Gossett worked with the governor as part of the Economic Development and Energy Career Working Group and says Reynolds has laid the groundwork for projects like this one.
Gossett notes subscriptions to solar units will not be available until the site is operational, but says everybody will see positives.
As a distribution cooperative, RVEC does not generate its own power. Instead, it purchases energy and delivers it to their customers. This site, when completed, will be RVEC second solar array. The first being near Sac City. Construction is currently underway at a site near Wall Lake, and RVEC is investigating locations near Glidden and Breda.
