I-Renew Board President Bev Hannon signs

the contract. She is joined with Board

Members Carrie La Suer and Don Laughlin.

I-Renew Takes Lead in Cedar Rapids PV Project

A major new solar installation is coming to Cedar Rapids' New Bohemia neighborhood this summer. Through the leadership of former I-Renew president Rich Dana and generous contributions from the Department of Energy, Iowa DNR, Alliant Energy, the Thorland Companies and the City of Cedar Rapids, a minimum of 7200 watts in photovoltaic (PV) panels will go up this summer on an urban rooftop. I-Renew has agreed to accept primary responsibility for installing the system. I-Renew's participation is important because the grants involved must go to a non-profit organization, but I-Renew will also contribute several thousand dollars worth of volunteer hours by working up contracts for the installation and organizing workshops. Shuttleworth & Ingersoll has assisted I-Renew with discounted legal work. Subcontractors Plan B and GoSolar will do the panel installation, marketing, and other project work. Alliant Energy will put up an information kiosk to educate visitors about the installation.

As soon as the contracts are signed, probably in early March, orders will go out for the necessary equipment and engineering work on the roof will begin. During the summer of 2005, an array will go up of racks that adjust automatically on two axes to follow the angle of the sun. Through an agreement with Alliant, the power will feed onto the grid. Workshops are planned to give members of the community some hands-on experience with all stages of a PV installation, including flipping the switch and watching the power begin to flow. Dates and details for the workshops will be coming out in the next newsletter. I-Renew thanks everyone involved. We look forward to an exciting project in Cedar Rapids this summer!