Polk County is forging ahead on its climate action goals, building a new solar field that will help power its jail.
Polk County supervisors at a meeting on Tuesday, April 21 unanimously approved constructing an 8-acre solar field north of the jail. The nearly $1.9 million field is expected to offset about 25% of the jail’s annual energy consumption.
Expected to cost about $850,000 after tax credits, the project is expected to bring in an estimated $100,000 in annual savings over the next three decades, according to a news release from the county. Its panels will generate about 1 megawatt, which is equivalent to the power approximately 1,000 homes use, according to a news release from the county.
“This is a long-time investment that’s going to benefit the jail, the county, the residents for years to come,” supervisor Jill Altringer said Tuesday.
Board chair Matt McCoy said the question often is whether “going green” would be more expensive for taxpayers.
“And the reality is this project will actually save money,” McCoy said.
The solar field marks the county’s continued efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040. The resolution, passed in 2021, set in motion the county’s first-ever energy audit to assess energy consumption, as well as greenhouse gas emissions across all county properties and vehicles.
In 2024, supervisors approved funding to install solar panels at the Polk County Administration building, the Polk County Northside Community Center and Polk County River Place. At the time, county officials predicted the installations would amount to roughly $5.1 million in energy savings over 30 years at those three locations.
Adam Draayer of the Polk County Information Technology department said in an email the county doesn’t have specifics on how far along it is in reaching its goal, but said it is making “smart financial investments to couple fiscal stewardship with environmental impact.”
As for future projects, the county plans to install solar panels on other buildings, the release said. It also will convert to electric HVAC systems, transition to electric vehicles, add electric charging stations and adopt LED lighting in county facilities.
The Iowa Events Center and Prairie Meadows, both listed in the county’s climate action plan, are optimal locations for future panels, Draayer said. Where and when the next set of panels are installed will be based on budget and time constraints, he said.
The solar field near the jail could be completed as soon as this fall, Draayer said.
Virginia Barreda is the Des Moines city government reporter for the Register. She can be reached at vbarreda@dmreg.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Polk County will install solar panels, offsetting 25% of jail’s power
Reporting by Virginia Barreda, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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